Final answer:
Critical theory rejected Kant by challenging the primacy of reason and emphasizing the socio-historical contexts that shape knowledge and consciousness. The Frankfurt School theorists critiqued abstract idealism, advocating for philosophy that actively seeks to liberate humans from oppressive societal structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
In what way did critical theory reject Kant? Critical theory, particularly as developed by members of the Frankfurt School, rejected Immanuel Kant's primacy of reason. This school of thought, influenced heavily by Marxist principles, critiques the Enlightenment's faith in reason and objective knowledge. Rejecting Kant's abstract idealism, critical theorists posited that knowledge and consciousness are shaped by historical and material conditions and that philosophy should address the emancipation of humans from these contexts of domination and oppression.
Max Horkheimer, one of the central figures of the Frankfurt School, specifically criticized the Kantian framework. Horkheimer argued that the objects of knowledge and science are not independent of the context within which they are understood, hence taking a stance contrary to Kant's rationalist approach. Instead of the detached, purely rational analysis espoused by Kant, critical theory emphasizes the socio-historical context and aims to reveal and challenge power dynamics inherent in societal structures.
Frankfurt School theorists also revised Hegel's concept of the dialectic, moving away from predicting historical inevitabilities to using it as a tool for examining and intervening in specific historical contexts. The notion of communicative action, as defined by Jürgen Habermas, another influential figure of the Frankfurt School, also underscores the importance of discourse and context over objective reasoning in the quest for understanding and transforming society.