This comprehensive introduction to the thought of Jurgen Habermas covers the full range of his ideas from his early work on student politics to his recent work on communicative action, ethics and law. Andrew Edgar examines Habermas' key texts in chronological order, revealing the developments, shifts and turns in Habermas' thinking as he refines his basic insights and incorporates new sources and ideas. Some of the themes discussed include Habermas' early reshaping of Marxist theory and practice, his characterization of critical theory, his conception of universal pragmatics, his theories of communicative action and discourse ethics, and his defence of the project of modernity. Edgar offers much more than a schematic run through of Habermas' big ideas. He deals in detail with Habermas' arguments in order to demonstrate how he weaves together multiple strands of thought, and he usefully situates Habermas' ideas within the contexts of the history of German philosophy, the history of sociology, and within contemporary debates in both continental and analytic philosophy. By engaging with some of Habermas' key critics and contrasting his views with the ideas of contemporaries, Edgar is able to give a clear sense of Habermas' place and importance in contemporary philosophy and social theory.

About the Author
Andrew Edgar is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at Cardiff University.

Reviews
"A notable contribution to the literature... assured and readable. The discussions are engaging, illuminating and leavened with well-chosen examples." Radical Philosophy "A careful and thorough analysis of each of Habermas's writings to date, text by text. Edgar has crafted a comprehensive and lucid account of the development of Habermas's thought, and gives important background considerations that one needs to understand this great thinker. This is a book that will be highly useful both to first-time readers as well as to specialists." - James Swindal, John Carroll University, Ohio



Book Information
ISBN 9781902683942
Author Andrew Edgar
Format Paperback
Page Count 304
Imprint Acumen Publishing Ltd
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g