Biography
- 1929 - present
- Düsseldorf, Germany
- Social theory, critical theory, communication theory
- Jürgen Habermas is a German philosopher and social theorist who is known for his contributions to the understanding of social and political processes, and the ways in which these processes are shaped by communication and discourse. He was born in Düsseldorf, Germany and later studied at the University of Bonn. Habermas's work has focused on the ways in which people communicate and interact with one another, and he has developed influential theories about the role of communication in shaping social and political norms and values. His ideas have had a significant impact on the fields of social theory, critical theory, and communication studies.
Highlight
- Jürgen Habermas is known for his contributions to the understanding of social and political processes, and the ways in which these processes are shaped by communication and discourse.
- Theodor Adorno - Habermas's work in social theory and critical theory was heavily influenced by the ideas of Theodor Adorno, and he was a member of the Frankfurt School of critical theory.
- Herbert Marcuse - Habermas's ideas about the role of communication in shaping social and political norms and values are closely related to the ideas of Herbert Marcuse about the relationship between power, ideology, and communication.
Books
- The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere - a major work by Habermas that explores the ways in which the public sphere, or the realm of public discourse, has evolved over time and the implications of this evolution for democracy.
- Between Facts and Norms - a book by Habermas that discusses the ways in which law and democracy are shaped by communication and discourse.
Concepts
- Public sphere - the realm of public discourse in which individuals can communicate and interact with one another, and in which social and political norms and values are shaped.
- Communicative action - the process by which individuals engage in rational dialogue with one another in order to reach mutual understanding and resolve conflicts.
- Rational discourse - the idea that individuals should be able to engage in rational dialogue and debate in order to reach mutually acceptable decisions and resolutions.
References
- Habermas, J. (1962). The structural transformation of the public sphere (translated by Thomas Burger). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
- Habermas, J. (1996). Between facts and norms (translated by William Rehg). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
- Jürgen Habermas. (n.d.). In Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/habermas/