The Theories of Jurgen Habermas

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Jurgen Habermas, in his theory of knowledge as social theory, elaborates on the important relationship between the natural sciences and the science of man with knowledge as its bridge. The author points out that this theory elicits the sense of reading Marxist social and economic theories, alternating with Hegelian concepts of dialectics. The paper relates that the theory of discourse ethics, which can be divided into categories of cognitivism, justice vs. good and universalization, is an exacting form of argumentation because it ensures the participation of all sides will not be threatened by coercion, save for the soundness and force of the argument.

Table of Contents:
Habermas' Theory of Knowledge as Social Theory
Discussion
Critique
Habermas' Discourse Ethics
Discussion
Critique

From the Paper:

"On the other hand, the theory of relativity by Einstein will only remain up in the air if it were not tested by the discovery of nuclear fusion and fission, which in turn created nuclear reactors for electricity and its evil counterpart - the nuclear bombs of every kind and size threatening the world with annihilation. This then verifies Habermas' assertions on control of the natural processes being an instrument of control of social life processes. For the longest time since the Atom Bomb, the world has been shrieking in fear at the thought of a nuclear war between superpowers, especially during the Cold War."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Thomas McCarthy, The Critical Theory of Jurgen Habermas, MIT Press, 1978.
• Raymond Geuss, The Idea of a Critical Theory, Cambridge University Press, 1981.
• Jane Braaten, Habermas's Critical Theory of Society, State University of New York Press, 1991.
• Detlef Horster. Habermas: An Introduction." Pennbridge, 1992

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• Analytical Essay # 113871 : "The Debate Between Rawls and Habermas"

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