zeitkritisch

Zeitkritisch is a German adjective used to describe a stance, work, or critique directed at the present age. It denotes a critical examination of social, political, and cultural conditions of the time, often aiming to reveal injustices, hypocrisies, or trends deemed problematic by contemporary observers. In literature, philosophy, journalism, and the arts, zeitkritisch works interrogate the spirit of the age—its power structures, moral norms, and public discourse.

The term is widely used in German-speaking contexts to characterize texts and forms that prioritize social critique over purely formal concerns. It is not a fixed school, but a descriptive label that can accompany approaches ranging from realism to modernism. Common targets include political authority, economic inequality, media landscape, and cultural conformity.

The term comes from Zeit (time or era) and kritisch (critical). The related noun Zeitkritik (critique of the time) appears in discussions of cultural and political critique of the era.

Historical usage: The idea of critiquing the era has roots in Enlightenment and 19th-century debates about society and morality. In the 20th century, zeitkritische tendencies appeared across diverse movements, including documentary and critical theory contexts. See also concepts such as Zeitgeist and social critique.