It was on the basis of this recognition that Horkheimer distinguished
between two conceptions of theory, which he referred to as ‘traditional’
and ‘critical’ theories. Traditional conceptions of theory picture the theorist
at a remove from the object of analysis. By analogy with the natural
sciences, they claim that subject and object must be strictly separated in
order to theorize properly. Traditional conceptions of theory assume
there is an external world ‘out there’ to study, and that an inquiring
subject can study this world in a balanced and objective manner by
withdrawing from the world it investigates, and leaving behind any
ideological beliefs, values, or opinions which would invalidate the
inquiry. To qualify as theory it must at least be value-free. On this view,
theory is possible only on condition that an inquiring subject can withdraw
from the world it studies (and in which it exists) and rid itself of all
biases. This contrasts with critical conceptions that deny the possibility
of value-free social analysis.