Jürgen Habermas Book order

Jürgen Habermas’s book The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere, first published in 1962, has long been recognized as one of the most important works of twentieth-century social thought. Blending philosophy and social history, it offered an account of the public sphere as a domain that mediates between civil society and the state in which citizens could discuss matters of common concern and participate in democratic decision-making through the formation of public opinion. Now, in view of the digital revolution and the resulting crisis of democracy, he returns to this important topic. In this new book Habermas focuses on digital media, in particular social media, which are increasingly relegating traditional mass media to the background. While the new media initially promised to empower users, this promise is being undermined by their algorithm-steered platform structure that promotes self-enclosed informational ‘bubbles’ and discursive ‘echo chambers’ in which users split into a plurality of pseudo-publics that are largely closed off from one other. Habermas argues that, without appropriate regulation of digital media, this new structural transformation is in danger of hollowing out the institutions through which democracies can shape social and economic processes and address urgent collective problems, ranging from growing social inequality to the climate crisis.

On the occasion of Habermas s 80th birthday, the German publisher Suhrkamp brought out five volumes of Habermas s papers that spanned the full range of his philosophical thought, from the theory of rationality to the critique of metaphysics.

There is no alternative to postmetaphysical thinking : this statement, made by Jurgen Habermas in 1988, has lost none of its relevance.

Philosophical-Political Profiles not only adds a new dimension to our understanding of the intellectual odyssey of Germany's leading contemporary thinker but also provides a series of stunning insights into the thought of the generation that preceded him. Martin Jay, University of California, Berkley

Extended essay on the constitution for Europe which represents the author's constructive engagement with the European project at a time when the crisis of the euro zone is threatening the very existence of the European Union. He addresses the growing realization that the European treaty needs to be revised in order to deal with the structural defects of monetary union, but a clear perspective for the future is missing. Using his analysis of European unification as a process in which international treaties have progressively taken on features of a democratic constitution, he explains why the current proposals to transform the system of European governance into one of executive federalism is a mistake. Europe must realize its democratic potential by evolving from an international into a cosmopolitan community. The concept of human dignity in the genealogy of human rights in the modern era throws further important light on the philosophical foundations of his argument and how democratic political institutions can be extended beyond the level of nation-state

Eduardo Mendieta is professor of philosophy at the State University of New York, Stony Brook. --

In this book, Habermas explores the relationship between religion and secular reason, urging constructive dialogue to combat fundamentalism. He outlines conditions for this engagement, emphasizing mutual respect between faith and reason. The volume includes his essay and discussions from a debate with philosophers, making it essential for understanding contemporary challenges.

The future of Europe and the role it will play in the 21st century are among the most important political questions of our time. The optimism of a decade ago has now faded but the stakes are higher than ever. The way these questions are answered will have enormous implications not only for all Europeans but also for the citizens of Europe’s closest and oldest ally – the USA. In this new book, one of Europe's leading intellectuals examines the political alternatives facing Europe today and outlines a course of action for the future. Habermas advocates a policy of gradual integration of Europe in which key decisions about Europe's future are put in the hands of its peoples, and a 'bipolar commonality' of the West in which a more unified Europe is able to work closely with the United States to build a more stable and equitable international order. This book includes Habermas's portraits of three long-time philosophical companions, Richard Rorty, Jacques Derrida and Ronald Dworkin. It also includes several important new texts by Habermas on the impact of the media on the public sphere, on the enduring importance religion in "post-secular" societies, and on the design of a democratic constitutional order for the emergent world society.

We live in a time of turbulent change when many of the frameworks that have characterized our societies over the last few centuries - such as the international order of sovereign nation-states - are being called into question.

Whilst much of Jurgen Habermas's recent work has been about morality and law, in "Truth and Justification" the great philosopher and social thinker returns to traditional themes of truth, objectivity and reality.