The question of technique in Jürgen Habermas’ thought: elements for a theoretical, conceptual and referential framework

Abstract

The technical/technological phenomenon is an important axis in the thought of Jürgen Habermas, who, since his first writings until his later works and speeches, maintains a relation of proximity and theoretical, conceptual and critical development about this theme. Although he does not have a specific work on this subject, just as his theory of religion, a Philosophy of Technology in Habermas’ thought is spread out in the architectonic of his intellectual trajectory. In this sense, the objective of this article is to offer elements that can be articulated in order to build a theoretical-conceptual and referential framework based on the main events and constructions in Habermas’ thinking that are related with the technical/technological phenomenon. How does the latter relate to the master coordinates of Habermas’ thinking, viz. Modernity, rationality, and society? How does it appear and what is its impact on the concepts of life-world and system? Based on these questions, we intend to offer elements for the construction of a cartography of Habermas thinking about technique.

Keywords: Jürgen Habermas, technique/technology, philosophy of technology.