Habermas and Contemporary Society

Sitton, J.

Over the last four decades Jürgen Habermas has forged an innovative and much-discussed theory of contemporary capitalist society. Building on Max Weber's thesis that the dynamic of capitalism actually erodes individual freedom and the meaningfulness of social life - famously resulting in a culture of 'specialists without spirit, sensualists without heart' - Habermas traces contemporary social conflict to resistance to this dynamic by a variety of social groups. His theory of 'communicative action' attempts to show the possibilities in contemporary society for moving toward a more balanced social life that, unlike other political currents today, would not sacrifice the truly progressive features of complex modern societies. By marginalizing methodological and other more specialized theoretical concerns, this book focuses on Habermas's substantive portrayal of contemporary society and its discontents.

Details

Published by: Palgrave Macmillan

Publication Date: 2003-11-04

Format: Hardcover

ISBN-13: 9781403961921

DOI: 10.1057/9781403981493

Dimensions: 216cm x140cm

Pages: 197