Justification and application

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This volume presents Habermas's latest contributions to ethical theory, further developing his discourse ethics amidst criticisms. He defends its centrality in contemporary moral philosophy while refining key concepts and extending arguments regarding practical reason, application, and motivation. The first chapter analyzes practical rationality, distinguishing between pragmatic, ethical, and moral questions, as well as different forms of volition and practical discourse. Habermas offers a robust defense of discourse ethics, critiquing major competing positions from thinkers like John Rawls, Bernard Williams, and Alasdair MacIntyre. The subsequent chapters uphold the universalist moral theory against neo-Aristotelian ethics and Horkheimer's skepticism toward reason. The volume concludes with an interview where Habermas discusses the origins of discourse ethics, its controversial elements, and its links to communicative action theory. Engaging with significant issues in social and political theory and philosophy, this work will be valuable for students and scholars across the social sciences and humanities.