Habermas and the Transformations of Critical Theory - by Amirhosein Khandizaji & James J Chriss (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

This book brings together an exceptional group of renowned scholars in philosophy and sociology, offering deep and insightful engagements with Jürgen Habermas's thought. With contributions from some of the most prominent figures in contemporary social theory, the volume delivers authoritative analyses that highlight Habermas's enduring influence on critical discourse.

The essays examine key dimensions of Habermas's work, from his genealogy of moral reasoning and critiques of postmetaphysical ethics to his dialogues with intellectual giants like Marx, Mead, Husserl, and Rawls. Contributors interrogate his theories of communicative action, democratic statehood, and ideology critique, applying them to urgent contemporary challenges--including the rise of authoritarian populism and transformations in the digital public sphere.

This volume not only deepens our understanding of Habermas's legacy but also reaffirms his relevance for contemporary debates on modernity, democracy, and rationality. With contributions from the most respected voices in the field, this volume is a vital publication--one that promises to inspire and shape scholarly discourse across philosophy, sociology, and political theory.

From the Back Cover

This book brings together an exceptional group of renowned scholars in philosophy and sociology, offering deep and insightful engagements with Jürgen Habermas's thought. Featuring insights from leading voices in contemporary social theory, the volume delivers authoritative analyses that highlight Habermas's enduring influence on critical discourse.

The essays examine key dimensions of Habermas's work, from his genealogy of moral reasoning and critiques of postmetaphysical ethics to his dialogues with intellectual giants like Marx, Mead, Husserl, and Rawls. Contributors interrogate his theories of communicative action, democratic statehood, and ideology critique, applying them to urgent contemporary challenges--including the rise of authoritarian populism and transformations in the digital public sphere.

This volume not only deepens our understanding of Habermas's legacy but also reaffirms his relevance for contemporary debates on modernity, democracy, and rationality. With contributions from the most respected voices in the field, this volume is a vital publication--one that promises to inspire and shape scholarly discourse across philosophy, sociology, and political theory.

Amirhosein Khandizaji holds a PhD in Sociology from the Free University of Berlin, Germany. His primary area of research is the critical theory of the Frankfurt School. He is the author of The Victory of Instrumental Reason and Farewell to Variety (2013), Baudrillard and the Culture Industry (2017), and editor of Reading Adorno: The Endless Road (2019). He is the co-author of David Riesman and Critical Theory (2021), co-editor of Adorno's Shadow: A Lasting Legacy (2025), Critical Theory: The Last Stand for Emancipation (2025), and Revisiting Marcuse: Critical Reflections and New Perspectives (2025). He is also the founding editor of the Berlin Journal of Critical Theory.

James J. Chriss is Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at Cleveland State University, USA. His main areas of interest are social control, law and society, sociological theory, and criminological theory. His latest book is Social Control: An Introduction (3rd edition 2022).

About the Author

Amirhosein Khandizaji holds a PhD in Sociology from the Free University of Berlin, Germany. His primary area of research is the critical theory of the Frankfurt School. He is the author of The Victory of Instrumental Reason and Farewell to Variety (2013), Baudrillard and the Culture Industry (2017), and editor of Reading Adorno: The Endless Road (2019). He is also the co-author of David Riesman and Critical Theory (2021), co-editor of Adorno's Shadow: A Lasting Legacy (2025), and Revisiting Marcuse: Critical Reflections and New Perspectives (2025). He is also the founding editor of the Berlin Journal of Critical Theory.

James J. Chriss is Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at Cleveland State University, USA. His main areas of interest are social control, law and society, sociological theory, and criminological theory. His latest book is Social Control: An Introduction (3rd edition 2022).