Practical rationality with a practical intent : a revised Habermasian conception centred on communicative negotiation
This dissertation explores how and to what extent rationality can provide guidance for human action &ndash; individual and collective, private and public; particularly under the conditions of modernity. The theme is approached through an examination of Habermas' various pertinent contributions. In both the pre-communicative and the communicative phases of his work, Habermas has been concerned to show the one-sided and distorted nature of modern, instrumental rationalisation, and to invigorate the unfinished project of enlightenment. Thus he has endeavoured to develop and philosophically justify a complementary, communicative practical rationality. Communicative rationality would be employed for rationalising social interaction, whereas instrumental rationality would be restricted to human beings' interchange with nature, concerned with securing their means of material reproduction. One exception to this supposed exhaustive dichotomy is the case of human interaction entwined so closely with the means of material reproduction that if it were conducted communicatively, rather than instrumentally, it would be so inefficient as to threaten material reproduction itself. Fields of social interaction that, for the
Shiakides, Sotos
B Philosophy (General)
Practical rationality with a practical intent : a revised Habermasian conception centred on communicative negotiation. This dissertation explores how and to what extent rationality can provide guidance for human action &ndash; individual and collective, private and public; particularly under the conditions of modernity. The theme is approached through an examination of Habermas' various pertinent contributions. In both the pre-communicative and the communicative phases of his work, Habermas has been concerned to show the one-sided and distorted nature of modern, instrumental rationalisation, and to invigorate the unfinished project of enlightenment. Thus he has endeavoured to develop and philosophically justify a complementary, communicative practical rationality. Communicative rationality would be employed for rationalising social interaction, whereas instrumental rationality would be restricted to human beings' interchange with nature, concerned with securing their means of material reproduction. One exception to this supposed exhaustive dichotomy is the case of human interaction entwined so closely with the means of material reproduction that if it were conducted communicatively, rather than instrumentally, it would be so inefficient as to threaten material reproduction itself. Fields of social interaction that, for the
practical_rationality practical intent revise conception centre communicative negotiation explores_extent rationality provide guidance human_action individual_collective private_public particularly condition modernity theme approach examination habermas various pertinent contribution pre communicative communicative phase work habermas concern show one_sided distorted nature modern instrumental rationalisation unfinished project enlightenment thus endeavour develop philosophically justify complementary communicative practical_rationality communicative rationality would employ rationalise social_interaction whereas instrumental rationality would restrict human_being interchange nature concerned mean material reproduction exception suppose exhaustive dichotomy case human_interaction entwine closely mean material reproduction conduct rather instrumentally would threaten material reproduction itself fields social_interaction