Enlightenment and Art: <i>Philosophy of New Music</i> as a Practical Extension of <i>Dialectic of Enlightenment</i>

In the preface to Philosophy of New Music, Adorno indicates that this work employs philosophical methods derived from Dialectic of Enlightenment, thus positioning it as a practical extension and concretization of the latter. By adopting a juxtapositional reading approach—analyzing both the aesthetic arguments in Philosophy of New Music and the social critique theory in Dialectic of Enlightenment simultaneously—one can reveal the intrinsic connection between music and social criticism in Adorno's thought. His dialectical thinking and concept of non-identity offer potential pathways beyond these limitations. This analysis not only deepens our understanding of the dialectic of enlightenment but also provides new perspectives for exploring Adorno's philosophical system. In today's world of globalized capitalism, digital technology, and increasingly advanced culture industry, Adorno's critique of instrumental reason, his concern about cultural homogenization, his insistence on art's critical function, and his advocacy of non-identical thinking still possess significant theoretical value and practical relevance.