Reason, tradition, and authority : a comparative study of Habermas and Gadamer
This thesis explores the possibilities for normative grounding of authority through a focus on the relationship between Habermasâs âcritical theoryâ and Gadamerâs âphilosophical hermeneuticsâ, with particular reference to the bases of authority in East Asian culture. More specifically, it examines the role of reason and tradition in justifying political authority. Gadamerâs philosophical hermeneutics locates the conditions of authority in tradition, constituted in part by prejudice, while Habermas offers a theory of communicative action that transcends the limited horizons of tradition. The distinction between reason and tradition is applied in East Asian culture through an analysis of the practice of filial piety. The thesis endorses Habermasâs charge that Gadamer hypostatizes tradition. Habermas correctly identifies the political implication of Gadamerâs philosophical hermeneutics, namely, that it obscures power relations. It is argued that Habermasâs âcommunicative action theoryâ and âdiscourse ethicsâ are better able to do justice to the basis for the normative grounding of authority. The relevance of discourse ethics for the justification of political authority in East Asian
Kim, Donghyun
B Philosophy (General) ; JC Political theory
Reason, tradition, and authority : a comparative study of Habermas and Gadamer. This thesis explores the possibilities for normative grounding of authority through a focus on the relationship between Habermasâs âcritical theoryâ and Gadamerâs âphilosophical hermeneuticsâ, with particular reference to the bases of authority in East Asian culture. More specifically, it examines the role of reason and tradition in justifying political authority. Gadamerâs philosophical hermeneutics locates the conditions of authority in tradition, constituted in part by prejudice, while Habermas offers a theory of communicative action that transcends the limited horizons of tradition. The distinction between reason and tradition is applied in East Asian culture through an analysis of the practice of filial piety. The thesis endorses Habermasâs charge that Gadamer hypostatizes tradition. Habermas correctly identifies the political implication of Gadamerâs philosophical hermeneutics, namely, that it obscures power relations. It is argued that Habermasâs âcommunicative action theoryâ and âdiscourse ethicsâ are better able to do justice to the basis for the normative grounding of authority. The relevance of discourse ethics for the justification of political authority in East Asian
reason tradition authority comparative_study habermas gadamer explore_possibility normative ground authority focus relationship habermas critical_theory gadamer philosophical_hermeneutics particular_reference base authority east asian culture specifically examines_role reason tradition justify political_authority gadamer philosophical_hermeneutics locate condition authority tradition constitute part prejudice habermas offer theory communicative_action transcends limited horizon tradition distinction reason tradition apply east asian culture analysis practice piety endorses habermas charge gadamer tradition habermas correctly identify political_implication gadamer philosophical_hermeneutics namely obscure power_relation argue habermas communicative_action theory discourse ethic well able justice basis normative grounding authority relevance discourse ethic justification political_authority east asian