Jurgen Habermas

Jürgen Habermas (born 1929) is a German philosopher, sociologist, and social theorist associated with the Frankfurt School and critical theory. He studied at the universities of Göttingen, Zürich, and Bonn, where he received a doctorate in philosophy in 1954. Habermas later taught at Marburg and Heidelberg before becoming professor of philosophy and sociology at the University of Frankfurt. He also directed the Max Planck Institute in Starnberg from 1971 to 1981.

His work addresses social theory, democracy, public discourse, and communicative rationality. His major books include The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere, Knowledge and Human Interests, Legitimation Crisis, and The Theory of Communicative Action. Toward a Rational Society: Student Protest, Science, and Politics collects essays on universities, student movements, science, and politics.