Writing task

Due: 9am, Monday 7th August 2017

In this recent essay, Habermas looks back at the 'classical' conceptions of modernity developed by Hegel, Weber, and the first generation of Frankfurt School theorists. He also describes the intellectual descendants of this tradition in social theory (rational choice theory and systems theory) and philosophy (postmodernism).

In the final pages, Habermas very briefly sketches his own idea of 'communicative reason' and explains why he think the 'communication theoretical' framework does a better job of theorising the ambivalence of modernity: both "the emancipating, unburdening effects of a communicative rationalization of the lifeworld," and "the effects of a functionalist reason run wild" (156).

Question: Why does Habermas think that the 'older critical theory' (i.e. of Horkheimer and Adorno) led to a dead end? (100-200 words)

Submit your answer here.