Remembering Jurgen Habermas: communicative action and the contemporary world
The philosopher Jurgen Habermas, who passed away in March 2026, made important contributions to philosophy and sociology. He produced a substantial body of work, and the course will deal with a select aspect of that oeuvre.
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The philosopher Jurgen Habermas, who passed away in March 2026, made important contributions to philosophy and sociology. He produced a substantial body of work, and the course will deal with a select aspect of that oeuvre.
What will we cover?
This course will examine Habermas’s theory of communicative action. This important work deals with social theory approached from the perspective of philosophy, sociology and language. What makes society and the idea of the social possible? His distinction between lifeworld and systems and the tension between both concepts will also be examined. Finally, it will explore the question of the relevance of Habermas’s idea to contemporary global politics.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Gain knowledge and understand of the concept of social theory and how it seeks to explain modern social interactions and organisations. The background to Habermas’s philosophical outlook from its origins in the Frankfurt School of critical theory.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for those at an introductory as well as intermediate level. An open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about ideas with which you may not always agree are more important than specific levels of skill.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Face to face interactive lecture.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No extra costs. Just bring notetaking materials if you plan to take notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You might be interested in this tutor's series of courses on Kant:
HP271: Immanuel Kant's theory of knowledge in the Critique of Pure Reason HP275: Immanuel Kant's theory of morals in the Critique of Practical Reason HP277: Immanuel Kant's theory of aesthetics in the Critique of Judgement
Dr Gabriel O. Apata is a research scholar and academic tutor of many years standing. His undergraduate and post-graduate degrees were in philosophy, while his PhD was in cultural studies/sociology. His academic interests are therefore multi-disciplinary, and his areas of research cover Philosophy, Sociology, Aesthetics, Religion, Post-colonial Studies, African history and politics as well as Diaspora Studies. He has published many academic articles in leading journals on these various subjects as well as reviews of academic books. He is a co-editor of book reviews for the journal Theory, Culture and Society. Gabriel is very excited to start teaching at City Lit and welcomes everyone to his classes.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/remembering-jurgen-habermas-communicative-action-and-the-contemporary-world3062164Remembering Jurgen Habermas: communicative action and the contemporary worldhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/pre-socratic-philosophers-HP125-1024.jpg2929GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Philosophy22851177140415791228511771404<p>The philosopher Jurgen Habermas, who passed away in March 2026, made important contributions to philosophy and sociology. He produced a substantial body of work, and the course will deal with a select aspect of that oeuvre.</p>003062125Remembering Jurgen Habermas: communicative action and the contemporary world2929https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/pre-socratic-philosophers-HP125-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-09-29T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allSep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHP3102929Remembering Jurgen Habermas: communicative action and the contemporary world231929Gabriel Olumide Apataremembering-jurgen-habermas-communicative-action-and-the-contemporary-world/hp310-2627<p>The philosopher Jurgen Habermas, who passed away in March 2026, made important contributions to philosophy and sociology. He produced a substantial body of work, and the course will deal with a select aspect of that oeuvre.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-29 00:00:00<p>The philosopher Jurgen Habermas, who passed away in March 2026, made important contributions to philosophy and sociology. He produced a substantial body of work, and the course will deal with a select aspect of that oeuvre.</p><p>The philosopher Jurgen Habermas, who passed away in March 2026, made important contributions to philosophy and sociology. He produced a substantial body of work, and the course will deal with a select aspect of that oeuvre.</p><p>This course will examine Habermas’s theory of <em>communicative action</em>. This important work deals with social theory approached from the perspective of philosophy, sociology and language. What makes society and the idea of the social possible? His distinction between <em>lifeworld </em>and <em>systems </em>and the tension between both concepts will also be examined. Finally, it will explore the question of the relevance of Habermas’s idea to contemporary global politics.</p><p>Gain knowledge and understand of the concept of social theory and how it seeks to explain modern social interactions and organisations. The background to Habermas’s philosophical outlook from its origins in the Frankfurt School of critical theory.</p><p>The course is suitable for those at an introductory as well as intermediate level. An open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about ideas with which you may not always agree are more important than specific levels of skill.</p><p>Face to face interactive lecture.</p><p>No extra costs. Just bring notetaking materials if you plan to take notes.</p><p>You might be interested in this tutor's series of courses on Kant:</p><p>HP271: Immanuel Kant's theory of knowledge in the Critique of Pure Reason<br>HP275: Immanuel Kant's theory of morals in the Critique of Practical Reason<br>HP277: Immanuel Kant's theory of aesthetics in the Critique of Judgement<br> </p>Philosophy, religion, & ideasPhilosophyvirtual232919HP310NONETue29/09/2612:00 - 14:0012:0014:001 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetGabriel Olumide ApataBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-09-29T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Culture, history & humanities2929Remembering Jurgen Habermas: communicative action and the contemporary worldremembering-jurgen-habermas-communicative-action-and-the-contemporary-world/hp310-2627<p>The philosopher Jurgen Habermas, who passed away in March 2026, made important contributions to philosophy and sociology. He produced a substantial body of work, and the course will deal with a select aspect of that oeuvre.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-29 00:00:00<p>The philosopher Jurgen Habermas, who passed away in March 2026, made important contributions to philosophy and sociology. He produced a substantial body of work, and the course will deal with a select aspect of that oeuvre.</p><p>The philosopher Jurgen Habermas, who passed away in March 2026, made important contributions to philosophy and sociology. He produced a substantial body of work, and the course will deal with a select aspect of that oeuvre.</p><p>This course will examine Habermas’s theory of <em>communicative action</em>. This important work deals with social theory approached from the perspective of philosophy, sociology and language. What makes society and the idea of the social possible? His distinction between <em>lifeworld </em>and <em>systems </em>and the tension between both concepts will also be examined. Finally, it will explore the question of the relevance of Habermas’s idea to contemporary global politics.</p><p>Gain knowledge and understand of the concept of social theory and how it seeks to explain modern social interactions and organisations. The background to Habermas’s philosophical outlook from its origins in the Frankfurt School of critical theory.</p><p>The course is suitable for those at an introductory as well as intermediate level. An open mind and a willingness to listen to and think about ideas with which you may not always agree are more important than specific levels of skill.</p><p>Face to face interactive lecture.</p><p>No extra costs. Just bring notetaking materials if you plan to take notes.</p><p>You might be interested in this tutor's series of courses on Kant:</p><p>HP271: Immanuel Kant's theory of knowledge in the Critique of Pure Reason<br>HP275: Immanuel Kant's theory of morals in the Critique of Practical Reason<br>HP277: Immanuel Kant's theory of aesthetics in the Critique of Judgement<br> </p>Philosophy, religion, & ideasPhilosophyconfigurable
15791404Philosophyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/philosophy-religion-belief/philosophy1/2/285/1177/1404/15791/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Philosophy
