
The Critique of Instrumental Reason from Weber to Habermas
Darrow Schecter(Author)
Continuum Publishing Corporation
Published on 23. February 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-1-4411-2455-5 (ISBN)
Description
What different kinds of reason are possible, and which ones are the most appropriate for a legitimate, as opposed to a merely legitimated state?The book opens with an analysis of Weber as a figure who marks a key moment of sociological transition. Weber articulates a distinctly different view to Enlightenment thinkers who believe in the capacity of reason to improve society and emancipate humanity from ignorance and domination. Weber signals that the institutionalization of the instrumental reason particular to industrial society might actually be an effective tool in the struggle for social supremacy. He notes that in comparison with charismatic and traditional legitimation, modern forms of legal-rational legitimation are de-personalised, anonymously bureaucratic, and much more difficult to combat.The book then looks at various responses to Weber's diagnosis, from Lukcs and Benjamin to Horkheimer, Adorno, Heidegger, Arendt, Simmel, Foucault and Habermas. The study culminates with a sociological reading of critical theory that draws together Adorno's concept of non-identity with Habermas on communicative reason and Luhmann on social complexity and differentiation.
Reviews / Votes
"This splendid book contains exceptionally insightful discussions of critical theory, Heidegger, Arendt and other theorists and opens up an exceptionally important argument about the relations between legality and legitimacy." --William Outhwaite, Chair of Sociology, Newcastle UniversityMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
390 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4411-2455-5 (9781441124555)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Darrow Schecter
The Critique of Instrumental Reason from Weber to Habermas
E-Book
05/2010
1st Edition
Bloomsbury Continuum
€43.49
Available for download
Person
Darrow Schecter is Reader in the School of History, Art History and Humanities, University of Sussex, UK. He has written books and articles on social and political thought, including Beyond Hegemony (2005); The History of the Left From Marx to the Present: Theoretical Perspectives (2007), and Critique of Instrumental Reason from Weber to Habermas (2010). He teaches history and political theory at the University of Sussex.
Content
Introduction
1: From Reason to Rationalisation: The Emergence of the Weberian Paradigm
2: The Revolutionary Critique of Instrumental Reason: Lukacs and Benjamin
3: Horkheimer, Adorno and Critical Theory
4: The Ontological and Republican Critiques: Heidegger and Arendt
5: Reason, Thinking and the Critique of Everyday Life
6: From Rationalisation to Communicative Action: The Emergence of the Habermasian Paradigm
Conclusion: On Post-Liberal Autonomy and Post-Capitalist Legitimacy
Bibliography
Index
1: From Reason to Rationalisation: The Emergence of the Weberian Paradigm
2: The Revolutionary Critique of Instrumental Reason: Lukacs and Benjamin
3: Horkheimer, Adorno and Critical Theory
4: The Ontological and Republican Critiques: Heidegger and Arendt
5: Reason, Thinking and the Critique of Everyday Life
6: From Rationalisation to Communicative Action: The Emergence of the Habermasian Paradigm
Conclusion: On Post-Liberal Autonomy and Post-Capitalist Legitimacy
Bibliography
Index