Norbert Elias and the Frankfurter Traditions

In 1977 Norbert Elias returned to Frankfurt am Main after 43 years in exile. I was a student then, having just arrived from Denmark to study philosophy and the Frankfurt tradition. It is my thesis that this particular seminar and interpretation culture from the 30’s had a decisive influence on Norbert Elias’ process-oriented sociology and civilisation theory. The way in which psychoanalytical experiences were combined with sociological themes, where the categories are reflected on a background of a fundamental philosophical knowledge, is a unique civilising interplay with roots in the city of Frankfurt