Philosophize This! Episode #143 ... Jürgen Habermas pt. 1 - The Public Sphere
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Apr 30, 2020 Explore Jürgen Habermas's philosophical insights on the Enlightenment and the importance of communicative rationality. Discover the differences between instrumental and communicative reason, and how genuine dialogue can strengthen democracy. Delve into the decline of communicative rationality in our modern society and the historical evolution of the public sphere, highlighting the challenges technology poses to civic engagement. It's a thought-provoking journey through the dynamics of reason and our need for authentic communication.
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Habermas's Critique of *Dialectic of Enlightenment*
- Habermas challenged Adorno and Horkheimer's critique of the Enlightenment in Dialectic of Enlightenment.
- He argued they defined reason too narrowly, overlooking other forms like communicative rationality.
The Dangers of Instrumental Reason
- Adorno and Horkheimer focused on instrumental reason, a means-to-an-end thinking.
- This can be dangerous, as purely rational steps can lead to undesirable outcomes if the end goal is flawed.
Communicative vs. Strategic Rationality
- Habermas introduces communicative rationality, where reason arises from genuine conversation and shared values.
- This contrasts with strategic rationality, where communication is manipulative, like a salesperson.
