Critical Theory is sometimes seen as the underlying theory of areas such as literature, politics, art, philosophy, and the social sciences. But isn't that what philosophy has claimed to do? Philosophy is supposed to give the theory behind all these areas (e.g., philosophy of art, philosophy of science, etc.). So what's the difference?
Critical theory does not simply consider arguments as presented by someone, but also considers what is hidden, or covered over. Much modern philosophy (and this is true of other disciplines too) assumes that rational actors present a case for something, and we decide what is right by considering the merits of that case. Critical theory assumes that, quite often, reasons for a position are not given in an explicit argument. Example:
Suppose someone is deciding who to vote for in an election. We'd like to think that we make that decision based on the issues, or what the person believes, along with our sense of whether that person will actually deliver on those promises.
But what if there's more happening here? What if my decision is based on the way that person has been presented in the media? After all, Kennedy won over Nixon in the 60s in the first televised debate, in part because Kennedy looked good on TV and Nixon didn't. So, what are the signifiers or codes that make me trust or not trust?
And, what if my decision is based on race or gender? Do I vote for someone because they are of the same racial or ethnic group as I am?
And, what if my decision has other factors, completely unknown to me, that influence it? I tell myself it is about the issues, but maybe it is about what this person can bring to me, or to my community.
And what if my whole sense of politics turns out to be about my own person gain, as opposed to (for example) building a better society?
Critical theory asks questions about what is hidden, perhaps deliberately, perhaps because none of us can know completely what motivates us. It asks about our interests - what's at stake for me, what I might gain. It asks about our prejudices and assumptions. It asks about the social structures in which those decisions are made, which might incline me toward a particular conclusion.