This article explores the theory of communicative action of the philosopher Jurgen Habermas as a way forward for inter-religious dialogue. Communicative action based on the intersubjectivity, rationality and force of argumentative speech stands in contrast to the boundary marking of hermeneutic idealism. Communicative action distinguishes between the particularity of one’s lifeworld and the universality of a system paradigm. Communicative action is seen as a way for inter-religious dialogue to explore the importance of various religious traditions. Whilst arguing that communicative action requires an individual to step outside the solipsism of her own lifeworld, this article also acknowledges the importance of an individual’s particular religious interests.
This article makes me want to learn more about Habermas, and particularly about his background. Can anyone recommend a good biography?
Josh,
You might try the following:
Mapping Habermas : a bibliography of primary literature, 1952-1995 / compiled by Demetrios Douramanis/Sydney, N.S.W. : edition Eurotext, 1995.
Deconstructing Habermas / Lasse Thomassen/New York : Routledge, 2007.
On Habermas / Leslie A. Howe/Belmont, CA : Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, c2000.
Habermas : a critical introduction / William Outhwaite/ Cambridge, [England] : Polity Press, c1994.
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