The Role of Ethics in Social Theory: Essays from a Habermasian Perspective (S U N Y Series in Ethical Theory)

This book defends the derivation of the ethical principle of universalizability presented by Jürgen Habermas, and illustrates the importance of this principle for both social science and social policy. Beginning with a comprehensive analysis of social theory, Smith divides the theory into nine distinct branches, each devoted to a fundamental question; three branches fall under social science, three under social ethics, and the last three make up social policy. He shows in detail how each branch has its own methodologies and basic categories, while being systematically connected to the others as well. Next, he makes a compelling defense of Habermas's main contribution to social ethics and contrasts Habermas's rational foundation for ethics with the decisionism defended by Max Weber. Smith then examines the implications of the principle of universalizability for a number of important issues in social theory.Tony Smith is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Iowa State University of Science and Technology. He is the author of The Logic of Marx's Capital, also published by SUNY Press. Preface PART ONE: THE FRAMEWORK The Role of Philosophical Discourse in Social Theory Introduction Social Science Social Ethics Social Policy Conclusion PART TWO: SOME ETHICAL ISSUES IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES The Scope of the Social Sciences in Weber and Habermas Weber Habermas Critical Social Science Agricultural Science and Ideology Ideological Mechanisms in Agricultural Science Ideology in the Family Farm Debate Two Models of Historical Materialism Cohen Habermas PART THREE: SOME ETHICAL EVALUATIONS OF CAPITALISM On Liberty and Equality Are Entrepreneurial Profits Prima Facie Deserved? The Goal of Market Exchange Entrepreneurial Profits: Genus and Species Conclusion PART FOUR: THREE NORMATIVE MODELS Kant’s Political Philosophy: Rechtsstaat or Council Democracy? Kant’s A Priori Argument for a Pure Republic (Rechtsstaat) and Federation of Republics The Empirical Premises in Kant’s Argument Sketch of an Alternative Model of Institutions Embodying Kantian Principles Rawls and the Structural Limits of the Capitalist State Rawls’s Normative Model Structural Analysis of Rawl’s Model Conclusion Habermas and History: The Institutionalization of Discourse as Historical Project The Analysis of Modernity Habermas’s Normative Model Evaluation of Habermas’s Model The Institutionalization of Discourse: An Alternative Model PART FIVE: SOME ISSUES OF STRATEGY AND TACTICS Ethics and Power in the Work of Jürgen Habermas Habermas’s Communicative Ethic Habermas on Power Habermas on the Priority of Communicative Action Conclusion Habermas on the University: Bildung in the Age of Technology The Changing Function of the University Two Alternative Strategies Regarding the Contemporary University Habermas’s Strategic Orientation Notes Selected Bibliography Index This book defends the derivation of the ethical principle of universalizability presented by Jürgen Habermas, and illustrates the importance of this principle for both social science and social policy. Beginning with a comprehensive analysis of social theory, Smith divides the theory into nine distinct branches, each devoted to a fundamental question; three branches fall under social science, three under social ethics, and the last three make up social policy. He shows in detail how each branch has its own methodologies and basic categories, while being systematically connected to the others as well. Next, he makes a compelling defense of Habermas's main contribution to social ethics and contrasts Habermas's rational foundation for ethics with the decisionism defended by Max Weber. Smith then examines the implications of the principle of universalizability for a number of important issues in social theory. (Source: [State University of New York Press](https://sunypress.edu/Books/T/The-Role-of-Ethics-in-Social-Theory2)) Chapter 1: The Role Of Philosophical Discourse In Social Theory -- Chapter 2: The Scope Of The Social Sciences In Weber And Habermas -- Chapter 3: Agricultural Science And Ideology -- Chapter 4: Two Models Of Historical Materialism -- Chapter 5: On Liberty And Equality -- Chapter 6: Are Entrepreneurial Profits Prima Facie Deserved? -- Chapter 7: Kant's Political Philosophy: Orchestrate Or Council Democracy? -- Chapter 8: Awls And The Structural Limits Of The Capitalist State -- Chapter 9: Habermas And History The Institutionalization Of Discourse As Historical Project -- Chapter 10: Ethics And Power In The Work Of Eugene Habermas -- Chapter 11: Habermas On The University: Building In The Age Of Technology. Tony Smith. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 231-240) And Index.