Habermas’ Epistemology

Professor Sophia M. L. WenLecture at

National Hang-Zhou Teachers College & Beijing Normal University

on May 10, 2007 ~ June 2007

Knowledge and Human InterestsKnowledge and Human Interests

Outline:

● The Critique of Kant & Hegel’s

Theory of Knowledge

● The Critique of Marx’s

Theory of Knowledge

● The Critique of Pragmatism

Historical Review

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上課講義\批判理論\Major Works of Habermas in English.doc

The Critique of Kant & Hegel’s

Theory of Knowledge

What is Epistemology?

What is Truth?

How to justify the truth?

How to reach the truth?

The Critique of Kant’s

Theory of Knowledge

Absolute Knowledge

Universality & Totalitarianism

Necessity, Objectivism & Subjectivism

The Critique of Hegel’s

Theory of Knowledge

Absolute SpiritDialectic KnowledgeDialectic Knowledge

Synthesis from Objectivity and Subjectivity of Knowledge

Kant Vs. Hegel

SubjectivitySubjectivity

Dialectic of Dialectic of object & Subjectobject & Subject

ConsciousnessConsciousness

TotalityTotality

SubjectivitySubjectivity

TotalityTotality

SpiritSpiritPure ReasonPure Reason

Self-Self-consciousnessconsciousness

Normative Normative concept of Kconcept of K

Hegel’s Hegel’s Vs.Vs. Marx’sMarx’s Theory of Knowledge Theory of Knowledge

Absolute Knowledge

Subjectivity-based

Spirit Dialectic

Contemplation

Spiritual Liberation

Idealism

Individuality

Class struggle

Historical Materialism

Material Dialectic

Capitalism Society

Class emancipation

Humanism

Social Class

The Theory of Habermas’ KnowledgeThe Theory of Habermas’ Knowledge

LifeworldsLifeworlds

Empirical-analytical

Science

Historical-hermeneutical

Science

Emancipatory-critical Science

3 Levels of Knowledge3 Levels of Knowledge

Cognitive-instrumental Truth:

Natural Science

Practical-discourse Norms:

Social & Human Sciences

Aesthetic- emancipatory criticism :Aesthetic- emancipatory criticism :

Aesthetics & Self-reflection

3 Kinds of Truth & Validity3 Kinds of Truth & Validity

Cognitive-instrumental Truth of propositions :

efficacy of teleological actions

Practical-discourse Norms:

Moral-practical RightnessRightness of action

Aesthetic criticism :Aesthetic criticism :

Expressive Truthfulness or sincerity of expressions

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