Habermas

Critical Theory
Habermas second generation critical theorist

Progress AND Emancipation Knowledge used to achieve just and democratic social order Integrate philosophy and empirical science for moral critique and social change

Goals
Goal of Theory - Survival of democracy in an increasingly rationalized world Need to Reconstruct Marxism Use social critique to promote human freedom Expand public sphere and civil society to create possibilities for rational consensus

Knowledge
Structured by human interests Technical human interest Practical human interest Emancipatory interest

Shifted from Interest to Communication

Communication

Linguistic communication presupposes and orientation to consensus Communication requires validity claims

nature of the world what kinds of social rules are right requires the open dialogue and information ideal speech situation

Goal of reasoned consensus

Colonization of the Lifeworld

Lifeworld commonsense world of everyday life interpersonal communication System

Structures (family, legal system, economy) that have source in lifeworld Develop own distinct existence, gradually separate from lifeworld

Colonization of the Lifeworld

Increasing complexity, autonomy and power of the system

Exerts itself on the lifeworld.

Must manage this through rational consensus