A New Critical Theory Based on Rational Choice

Bibliographic Data

ID9689271
AuthorsMatthias Fritsch (0000-0002-4100-9023, Concordia University, corresponding author)
Year2005
Volume44
Issue2
Pages351-362
Publication date2005-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDialogue (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0012-2173 • E-ISSN: 1759-0949
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0012217300006247
OpenAlexW1975441658
LanguageEN
References cited13

Joseph Heath's Communicative Action and Rational Choice may be read as a critical commentary upon Habermas's critical social theory, but it may also be read as merely using the latter as “scaffolding” (p. 10) for the presentation of Heath's own version of critical theory. In what follows, I will focus on the second option and thus largely ignore the exegetical question to what extent Heath provides a fair reading of Habermas. This does not mean, however, that I will not make comparative judgements. On the contrary, my overall claim will be that Heath's new critical theory is more functionalist, and. partly as a result, less critical than Habermas's. Since lack of space does not permit me to argue this in accordance with the standards of detail that Heath's own book generally observes, my procedure may be justified by the attempt to provoke a clarificatory response from Heath

Action (physics) · Communicative action · Critical reading · Critical theory · Epistemology · Focus (optics) · Political science · Presentation (obstetrics) · Reading (process) · Sociology · Critical Theory and Philosophy · Law · Philosophy

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