Critical Social Theory

An important underlying assumption states that all social knowledge is value laden, and that all scientific knowledge is a social construction. Reason and critique are inseparable and reflexive. Theory and practice must be interconnected.

Three kinds of inquiry or interest

Technical focus on predicting and controlling the natural and social world

Practical focuses on human interaction- traditions, social behaviors and relationships. Goal- clarify the meaning of a given situation in order to better understand it.

Emancipatory targeted towards the liberation of individuals. Seeks to free people from physical, mental and social distortions and injustice

Jurgen Habermas

The Public Sphere- growth of a commercial mass media turned the critical public into a passive consumer public.

Lifeworld- Related to Bourdieu's habitus

Practical Rationality - individuals and interactions draw from custom and cultural traditions to construct identities, define situations, coordinate action, and create social solidarity. Ideally this occurs by communicatively coming to understanding but it also occurs through pragmatic negotiations.