+- Scivillage.com Casual Discussion Science Forum (https://www.scivillage.com)
+-- Forum: Science (https://www.scivillage.com/forum-61.html)
+--- Forum: Logic, Metaphysics & Philosophy (https://www.scivillage.com/forum-80.html)
+--- Thread: Article German philosopher and social critic Jürgen Habermas dies at 96 (/thread-19975.html)
German philosopher and social critic Jürgen Habermas dies at 96 - C C - Mar 15, 2026
But Slavoj Žižek is only 76. (List of contributors to Marxist theory)
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
German philosopher and social critic Jürgen Habermas dies at 96
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crk8yxd2g0no
INTRO: Jürgen Habermas, one of the most influential philosophers and public intellectuals in post-war Germany, has died aged 96. Habermas, who began teaching philosophy and sociology at the University of Frankfurt in the 1960s, vocally supported the student revolt at West German universities at the time.
He was a leading member of the "Frankfurt School", a body of thought critical of capitalism from a "new left" perspective distinct from traditional Marxism. He grew up in Nazi Germany and in the 1980s took part in a fierce debate with conservative historians who had questioned whether the Holocaust was a singularly German phenomenon.
Habermas's death was announced on Saturday by his publisher, Suhrkamp. He was born in Düsseldorf in June 1929. His father, who headed the local chamber of commerce, joined the Nazi Party in 1933. The young Jürgen was enrolled in the Hitler Youth but was too young to fight in World War Two.
After the war, Habermas studied philosophy and earned a doctorate from Marburg University before joining the University of Frankfurt's Institute of Social Research. Along with Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adorno, he became a leading exponent of the Frankfurt School.
The school is best known for critical theory – which contends that capitalist society, rather than fostering human emancipation, turns active citizens into passive consumers... (MORE - details)
RE: German philosopher and social critic Jürgen Habermas dies at 96 - Magical Realist - Mar 15, 2026
Quote:The school is best known for critical theory – which contends that capitalist society, rather than fostering human emancipation, turns active citizens into passive consumers.
Habermas critiqued what he saw as the commodification of mass media and entertainment, arguing that a mass-produced culture destroys critical public debate.
Synchronistically the very word "commodify" occurred to me this morning as I watched yet another TV commercial with some famous and dignified actor peddling some stupid and trivial product. I realized that going into show business basically makes YOU a commodity or "brand" that will be used to sell various ideas and causes and endless useless garbage. It's a sad thing to watch. How the hell did Walmart get Walton Goggins to do their commercials? It must pay very well. But in the end you probably just feel like a cheap corporate whore.