The Cambridge Companion to Habermas

by Stephen K. White

Overview

This volume examines the historical and intellectual contexts out of which Habermas' work emerged, and offers an overview of his main ideas, including those in his most recent publication. Among the topics discussed are: his relationship to Marx and the Frankfurt School of critical theory, his unique contributions to the philosophy of social sciences, the concept of "communicative ethics," and the critique of postmodernism. Particular attention is paid to Habermas' recent work on democratic theory and the constitutional state.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521441209
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/28/1995
Series:	Cambridge Companions to Philosophy
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.94(d)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction Stephen White; 2. The heritage: Habermas and Adorno Romand Coles; What remains of Marx? Nancy Love; 3. Communicative rationality: philosophical and social scientific implications; The idea of communicative rationality Georgia Warnke; Critical theory as a research programme John Dryzek; 4. Normative democracy; Practical discourse and communicatve ethics J. Donald Moon; Rechtstheorie Kenneth Baynes; Universalism and the situated critic Max Pensky; 5. Democracy; Democracy and self Mark Warren; Discourse and democractic practices Simone Chambers; 6. The defense of modernity; Habermas' critique of Nietzsche and his progeny Tracy Strong; Modernity and postmodernity Axel Honneth.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"...an excellent tool for advanced students of Habermas, and it raises crucial questions that are relevant for anyone concerned with the theoretical and practical problems of democracy....The book clearly shows not only the profound contributions Habermas makes to democratic theory, but also some serious problems in his work and the extent to which his massive theoretical apparatus still needs to be discussed in relation to concrete social and political issues." American Political Science Review

"...White has compiled here an excellent set of essays, especially on Habermas's most recent reflections on discource theory." Choice

"...a good introduction to the impact of Habermas' theories of democracy, law, social criticism, and ethics for those who are not familiar with Habermas' work, his dense writing style, and the three-century tradition of continental thought upon which he relies....with its select bibliography and straightforward, non-technical articles, this volume should provide a possible point of entry to the variety of English-language debates surrounding Habermas' theories of politics and morality." Christopher F. Zurn, Canadian Philosophical Review

"This is a wonderful collection." David A. Freeman, The European Studies Journal

Editorial Reviews

"...an excellent tool for advanced students of Habermas, and it raises crucial questions that are relevant for anyone concerned with the theoretical and practical problems of democracy....The book clearly shows not only the profound contributions Habermas makes to democratic theory, but also some serious problems in his work and the extent to which his massive theoretical apparatus still needs to be discussed in relation to concrete social and political issues." American Political Science Review

"...White has compiled here an excellent set of essays, especially on Habermas's most recent reflections on discource theory." Choice

"...a good introduction to the impact of Habermas' theories of democracy, law, social criticism, and ethics for those who are not familiar with Habermas' work, his dense writing style, and the three-century tradition of continental thought upon which he relies....with its select bibliography and straightforward, non-technical articles, this volume should provide a possible point of entry to the variety of English-language debates surrounding Habermas' theories of politics and morality." Christopher F. Zurn, Canadian Philosophical Review

"This is a wonderful collection." David A. Freeman, The European Studies Journal

From the Publisher