vol 25 no2,2025

The Theory of Modernity Habermas

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The Theory of Modernity Habermas

        Rawan Munir Ahmad Jayousi

            Academic researcher

         University of Jordan/Jordan

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                       Mohammad Khair Eiadat

 Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II School of International Studies

                    University of Jordan/Jordan

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 Received : 04/12/2023                                                                                                Accepted :17/04/2024

Abstract:

This study aims to examine the relationship between the availability of an efficient public sphere and the ability to conduct a rational public deliberation, based on communicative reason, according to the German philosopher Jürgen Habermas and its impact on the success of his incomplete project of modernity. The study will trace, through historical and analytical methods, the development of the concept of modernity, the emergence of its critics, and analyze the hypotheses presented by Habermas to ensure the success of modernity and its emancipatory project based on democracy, stemming from the realism of the ability to establish the rational principle to adopt criteria of goodness, interest, and justice. The study will also focus on measuring the effectiveness of replacing "instrumental reason" with "communicative reason," as the former has failed to address many of the political crises accompanying modernity, notably deepening legitimacy crisis and the absence of justice. The study is based on a main hypothesis that there is a reciprocal relationship between the availability of accessible public space for deliberations, as suggested by Habermas, and addressing post-modernity problems of alienation, fragmentation, and individualism to achieve democracy and solve structural problems in modern society, notably the relationship between individual and individual, individual and society, and individual and the state, through communication, dialogue, and public discussions to achieve consensus.

Keywords: Modernity, Public Sphere, Communicative Action Theory, Critical Theory, Instrumental Reason.

 

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