Habermas’ Theory of Communicative Action
Habermas’ Theory of Communicative Action: Summary
Jürgen Habermas proposes a model for analyzing society based on two forms of rationality: the substantive rationality of the lifeworld and the formal rationality of the system.
Lifeworld and System
The lifeworld represents an internal perspective, reflecting the viewpoint of subjects acting within society. Conversely, the system represents an external perspective, encompassing systemic structures like Weberian bureaucracy and other institutions, characterized by technical rationality.
Habermas views society as a complex, structured conglomerate where the individual actor’s processes become less visible.
Communicative Action and its Sphere
In Habermas’ Theory of Communicative Action, actions are considered symbolic manifestations. Actions regulated by norms and dramaturgical actions occur within at least one world, but always in relation to the objective world.
Within the sphere of work, he contrasts the field of communicative action, defined as “an interaction mediated by symbols.” This action adheres to core standards or mandatory rules that define reciprocal conduct and must be intersubjectively understood and recognized. This type of action constitutes the institutional framework of society, as opposed to systems of instrumental and strategic action.
Work: Instrumental and Strategic Action
Habermas defines work as “a means-end action where, to achieve a given purpose, one must utilize specific means.” He distinguishes two types:
- Instrumental Action
- Strategic Action (rational choice)
Instrumental action (technical, strategic) remains subordinate to legitimizing traditions. However, in capitalist society, subsystems of instrumental action, particularly the economy, are increasingly expanding.
Communicative vs. Scientific-Technical Rationality
The traditional type of communicative rationality is confronted in modern times by the new rationality of scientific-technical instrumentation. In this confrontation, the former communicative rationality, based on mythical-religious interpretations, is superseded by scientific understanding.
Universal Pragmatics
Habermas proposes the pragmatic need for a universal science of language structures, based on universals valid in all situations and communicative contexts. Universal pragmatics reveals the linguistic conditions that enable communicative reason. Through it, reason becomes communicative reason.
Four Concepts of Action
Habermas reduces the many concepts of action employed in sociological theory to four key concepts:
Teleological Action: Central to the philosophical theory of action since Aristotle, this concept describes an actor who pursues an end, aiming to produce a desired state of affairs by choosing and applying the most appropriate means.
Normatively Regulated Action: This concept refers not to the behavior of a solitary actor, but to members of a social group who orient their actions based on shared values.
Dramaturgical Action: This concept involves an actor conveying a certain image or impression of themselves to an audience, revealing their desired subjectivity.
Communicative Action: This concept refers to the interaction of at least two subjects capable of speech and action, engaging in an interpersonal relationship (either verbally or through extraverbal means).