Theory and Practice

Through a series of highly original historical studies, Habermas re-examines the relations between philosophy, science and politics. Beginning with the classical doctrine of politics as developed by Aristotle, he traces the changing constellation of theory and practice through the work of Machiavelli, More, Hobbes, Hegel and Marx. He argues that, with the development of the modern sciences, politics has become increasingly regarded as a technical discipline concerned with problems of prediction and control. Politics has thus lost its link with the practical cultivation of character, that is, with the praxis of enlightened citizens.

Theory and Practices includes a major re-assessment of Marx's work and of the status of Marxism as a form of critique. In an important concluding chapter Habermas examines the role of reason and the prospects for critical theory in our modern scientific civilization.

Jürgen Habermas is a German philosopher and sociologist in the tradition of critical theory and pragmatism. He is perhaps best known for his theories on communicative rationality and the public sphere. In 2014, Prospect readers chose Habermas as one of their favourites among the "world's leading thinkers".

Introduction: Some Difficulties in the Attempt to Link Theory and Praxis.

1. The Classical Doctrine of Politics in Relation to Social Philosophy.

2. Natural Law and Revolution.

3. Hegel's Critique of the French Revolution.

4. Labour and Interaction: Remarks on Hegel's JenaPhilosophy of Mind. .

5. On Hegel's Political Writings.

6. Between Philosophy and Science: Marxism as Critique.

7. Dogmatism, Reason, and Decision: On Theory and Praxis in our Scientific Civilization.

Notes.

Index.