The thesis moves towards Derrida, Lyotard and Habermas to follow the distinct ways in which the circle calls itself into being and/or question. Heidegger and Gadamer pave the way towards the idea of a critical theory via hermeneutics’ conception of the circular relation between thought and language. The thesis primarily considers the critical theories of Derrida, Lyotard and Habermas via the circle of understanding. Specifically, if a critical reason is to determine the ontological status of ‘beings’, it is forced to acknowledge the way a criterion may itself determine the quality or state (being) of the very objects (boundaries, qualities, relations) in question. The problem of the criterion invariably calls into question the rationality of any given ontological scheme and boundary line. The relation between the problem of the criterion and the question of being therefore becomes integral. It does this by taking each’s measure through competing ontological standards of measurement and evaluation. The thesis explores the problematic connection between criteria and critique, or the distinct ways in which the relation between thought and language directs contested ideas of a critical theory. It addresses a perceived lack in the literature regarding the idea’s standard and/or truth- bearing and interrogates the relation between thought and language in (a) critical theory.

The following research provides an answer by questioning what has traditionally been taken as given. The only problem, however, is that many of the distinct – and competing – theories similarly answering to the description raise two related questions – namely, ‘what is a critical theory?’ and what is ‘critical’ about the ‘theory’ (or theories) in question? The idea of a critical theory is not only itself subject to criticism, it also remains open to questioning and contestation. Competing ideas have thereby become standard bearers in that critical theory acts as a measure of true understanding and/or social rank in institutional settings. The idea of a critical theory has colonized the consciousness of academia, and become an integral part of the pursuit of higher knowledge.

Earman stultifying