1. Habermas

2. 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

3. 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

4. Knowledge Structured by human interests “Technical” human interest
“Practical” human interest
“Emancipatory” interest
Shifted from Interest to Communication

5. Communication
Linguistic communication presupposes and orientation to consensus
Communication requires “validity claims”
nature of the world
what kinds of social rules are right
Goal of reasoned consensus
requires the open dialogue and information “ideal speech situation”

6. 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

7. Colonization of the Lifeworld
Increasing complexity, autonomy and power of the system
Exerts itself on the lifeworld.
Must manage this through rational consensus