The Essentials of Habermas

This book offers a conceptual map of Habermas’ philosophy and a systematic introduction to his work. It does so by systematically examining six defining themes—modernity, discourse ethics, truth and justice, public law and constitutional democracy, cosmopolitanism, and toleration—of Habermas' philosophy as well as their inner logic.

The text distinguishes itself in content and perspective by offering a very clear conceptual map and by providing a new interpretation of Habermas’ views in light of his overarching system. In terms of scope, the book touches upon Habermas’ broad range of works. As for method, the text illustrates key concepts in his philosophy making it a useful reference aid. It appeals to students and scholars in the field looking for a current introductory text or supplementary reading on Habermas. 

Chapter One: Modernity.- Chapter Two: Discourse Ethics.- Chapter Three: Truth and Justice.- Chapter Four: Morality, Public Law and Constitutional Democracy.- Chapter Five: Cosmopolitanism.- Chapter Six: Tolerance and Inclusion.-  Chapter Seven: Conclusion: Climbing the mountain of modernity.

Dr.Xunwu Chen is a  professor of philosophy in The Department of Philosophy & Classics at the University of Texas at San Antonio.  Dr.Chen received his Ph.D in philosophy from Fordham University in 1994, after which he spent two years in the Department of Eastern Asian Language and Civilization of Harvard University as a postdoctoral researcher. He then spent a year at The Eastern Asian Institute of Columbia University and half year in The Philosophy Department of New York University as a visiting scholar. He joined the UTSA faculty in January 1998.

Dr.Chen is the author of four books (monographs) in English, Being and Authenticity (2004), Justice, Humanity, and Social Toleration (2008),  Another Phenomenology of Humanity (2015), and Global Justice and Our Epochal Mind (2019) and three books in Chinese language, On Habermas (2008), Habermas: The Leader of Contemporary Thought (2015), and A Theory of Modernity and the Spiritof Our Time (2019). In addition, Dr.Chen also authors more than 40 research journal articles in English and more than 10 research journal articles in Chinese language.

Dr.Chen was the president of the Association of Chinese Philosophers in (North) America from December 2001 to December 2003. From July 2004  to July 2007, he served as a member of the Committee on the Status of Asian Philosophies and Asian Philosophers of The American Philosophical Association. He is currently the Vice President of the International Association of East-West Studies.