The Theory of Communicative action

Habermas, J.

Basic Concepts

Habermas moves away from a philosophy of consciousness and a monological conception of action to the construction of a communicative paradigm.

Theory of communicative action needs to be understood in the context of the development of Habermas’ work and in particular in relation to two other concepts: a. Public Sphere

b. Lifeworld

a. The Public Sphere

Is a body of ‘private persons’ who assemble to discuss matters of public concerns or common interest.

Allows us to maintain the distinctions b/w the state apparatuses, economic markets and democratic associations, which are essential to democratic theory.

Brings about two novel conceptions: 1. Rational discursive interaction; dialogue and

argumentation (4 principles)2. Accountability

b. Lifeworld

The world of communicative action or Lifeworld is organised through the intersubjective transmission of cultural and historical traditions.

Refers to the unproblematic, unthematised knowledge that supplements, accompanies and provides the context for communicative action: the traditions, the natural languages, the presuppositions and assumptions that govern everyday language.

Comprises 3 structural components: 1. Culture-objective, 2. Society-intersubjective, and3. Person-subjective.

Theory of Communicative Action

From Secrecy to Publicity/Publicness

From the Public Sphere to the Theory of Communicative Action.

Importance of Habermas

Explains the purpose of communication as reaching understanding

Language is connected to validity; social order is network of people raising and responding to validity claims of speech-acts

The notion of the Public Sphere replaces appeals to authority, tradition, force etc with an appeal to reason - resolve through argument and discussion

Realised Public Sphere is idealist, but thought the principles it involved had value in guiding communication