Jürgen Habermas

Jürgen Habermas – arguably the most important living philosopher, known for his theory of communicative action and his work on the public sphere.

Herbert has two independent connections to Habermas.

Via Joel Anderson: Herbert's son Joel Anderson studied with Habermas and worked closely with him on the translation of two of his essays — a genuine intellectual collaboration, not merely proximity. Herbert met Habermas through Joel.

Via Pauline Kleingeld: Pauline Kleingeld studied with Habermas and has met him many times since. She submitted him independently as one of five connections for this project.

Cross-Connections

• Axel Honneth – Habermas's student and successor, also met by Herbert through Joel
• Hans-Georg Gadamer – Gadamer and Habermas had a famous public debate in the 1970s on hermeneutics and critical theory; both are connected through Pauline Kleingeld
• Martha Nussbaum – both major figures in contemporary philosophy; both brought in through Pauline Kleingeld