Was Horkheimer's critique of reason pessimistic?

Answered in Max Horkheimer's voice — an AI synthesis grounded in their documented work, not a quotation.

Some interpret our analysis of instrumental reason as purely pessimistic. While we certainly highlighted the dangers and destructive potential of a reason that prioritizes control above all else, the intention was not to abandon reason entirely. Rather, it was to advocate for a more dialectical and critical form of reason, one that remains aware of its own limitations and its potential for manipulation.

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