Jürgen Habermas: communicative action, reflexivity and lifeworld

Abstract

Throughout this essay a balance on Jürgen Habermas’ theoretical itinerary is exposed. We review his deeper motivations and questions to see how they anticipated to his mature reflections. It is highlighted the prevailing trends in social science to limit the reflection about the theoretical basis of this author and their possible connection with the subject of reason. After that, we present a summary of Frankfurt School main proposals, as well as a balance of the evolution perceived by critical theory about society and its key problem areas. It is emphasized the intent of this School to build an alternative paradigm face to the emergence of new forms of intelligibility, scientificity and rationality in social science. Finally, we present some ideas whose aim is to open a discussion about the theoretical and political importance found in entire Habermas work.