On Zhongyong Rationality: The Confucian Doctrine of the Mean as a Missing Link between Instrumental Rationality and Communicative Rationality

Abstract

This paper follows the theoretical footsteps of Weber and Habermas, among others, to unravel the advent of modernity in terms of the problematic of rationality and rationalization. Seen in this light, it can be maintained that a major malaise of modern society stems from the proliferation and domina tion of instrumental rationality on the one hand, and the alleged subjective, relativistic nature of value rationality on the other. Habermas' postulation of the construct of communicative rationality, in the final analysis, is intended as a solution to this problem by positing a universal and objective founda tion for value consensus. Though the ideal speech situation he propounded may serve as a yardstick to measure the application of communicative rationality, its significance is however more theoretical than practical. The preconditions of its realization can hardly be attained in a society where instrumental rationality has long since prevailed. To be more specific, there is simply no guarantee that people motivated by instrumental-rational goals would have the readiness or intent to enter into rational communication with others.