Habermas Methodology

1
Habermas Methodology

• Professor Sophia M. L. Wen
• Lecture at
• National Hang-Zhou Teachers College Beijing
  Normal University
• on May 10, 2007 June 2007

2
Criticism for Reconstruction

• Positivistic Dissolution
• Universal Pragmatism
• Dogmatism and Totalitarianism
• Pluralistic Sciences
• The Crisis of Dualism
• Social Action and Lifeworlds

3
Positivistic Dissolution

• Utility of Theory and Practice connection Object
  and Subject

Synthesis through Natural Science and Social
Action
Overcome the tension between Collectivism and
Individualism
4
Dogmatism and Totalitarianism
Viewing from Phenomenological Hermeneutics
Replacing Romantic with Critical Hermeneutics
Exposing the illusions of Objectivity, Technical
Interest
Liberating constraints from Dogmatism
traditional heritage
5
Pluralistic Sciences
Critical Self-reflection on Instrumental
Dimensions Idealism, Materialism, Ahistorical
Rationalization, Industrialism, Fascism, Global
phenomenon and so on, and Question the blind
belief in both Totalitarian and Absolutivism
6
The Crisis of Dualism
False Consciousness
Fragment of lifeworld
Objectivism
Causality or Necessity
Atomised humans
Dysfunction
7
Universal Pragmatism
Reproduction Mutual Understanding
Drawing from Phenomenology, Hermeneutics, and
Anthropology
Establish Inter-subjective Relationship with
other Individuals
Reconstructing the Validity Basis of Speech
8
Social Action and Lifeworlds

• Observation - Explanation

Understanding - Interpretation
Praxis not Empirical Activities
Private and Public Spheres
9
A Civic Society
Critique of Ideology
Populist Masses
Autonomy Harmony
Responsibility Justice
Contimuous Self-reflection
10
Forms of Social Action
Labor - economics
Social Interaction - Politics
Communication free from a dogmatic and
controlling past
11
Take a Break