Habermas's Concept of the Lifeworld
Dissertation, University of California, San Diego (
1992)
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Abstract
In this dissertation I give an exposition and critique of Habermas's recent attempt to provide the theoretical-normative underpinnings of a critical social theory. I argue that Habermas's basic conceptualization of intersubjectivity is captured in the complementarity of two concepts: "communicative action" and "lifeworld." I argue that he does not develop the latter concept adequately and that he consequently fails to articulate a viable social theory