Theory Of Communicative Action Research Articles

‘Alone in a Crowd’: Teacher-Level and Pupil-Level Hidden Curricula and the Theoretical Limits of Teacher–Pupil Relationships

This essay aims to explore the theoretical limitations that hidden curricula—hidden normative values, beliefs, and knowledge that are often considered problematic—place on our understanding of teacher–pupil relationships. It applies Habermas’ theory of communicative action—synonymous with mutual understanding and predicated on his concept of the lifeworld—to analyse hidden curricula. It finds that hidden curricula limit teachers’ comprehension of teacher–pupil relationships dependent on pupils’ responses to teacher-level hidden curricula. Where they respond with compliance, pupils limit expressions of their subjectivity; conversely, where they reject teacher-level hidden curricula, pupils’ subjective lifeworlds are already disrupted by them. Both responses impede teachers’ understanding of teacher–pupil relationships. In addition, pupil-level hidden curricula, which are often asymmetrical and oriented in response to teacher-level hidden curricula, present another barrier to teachers unveiling hidden curricula and the subjectivities of teacher–pupil relationships. In effect, pupil-level hidden curricula render teachers ‘alone in a crowd’. Finally, I argue that systematically examining hidden curricula represents strategic action—communicative action’s counterpoint—and colonisation of pupils’ lifeworlds. While hidden curricula present significant theoretical limitations to understanding teacher–pupil relationships, teachers might use this as a ‘pedagogical hinge’, freeing them from the unknowable and uncontrollable to a more practical view of teacher–pupil relationships.

Talking existential risk into being: a Habermasian critical discourse perspective to AI hype

AbstractRecent developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have resulted in a hype around both opportunities and risks of these technologies. In this discussion, one argument in particular has gained increasing visibility and influence in various forums and positions of power, ranging from public to private sector organisations. It suggests that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) that surpasses human intelligence is possible, if not inevitable, and which can—if not controlled—lead to human extinction (Existential Threat Argument, ETA). Using Jürgen Habermas’s theory of communicative action and the validity claims of truth, truthfulness and rightness therein, we inspect the validity of this argument and its following ethical and societal implications. Our analysis shows that the ETA is problematic in terms of scientific validity, truthfulness, as well as normative validity. This risks directing AI development towards a strategic game driven by economic interests of the few rather than ethical AI that is good for all.

Reflections on Habermas’s discourse ethics

In this article Habermas’s discourse ethics is critically interpreted. The article starts with a brief intellectual biography of Habermas (section 1), showing that his life and work has always had a strong ethical and political dimension – leading to the concept of discourse ethics. Next, it is indicated how Habermas’s work in the 1970s culminated via four steps in his major philosophical work – the Theory of Communicative Action (section 2) published in 1981. In the next two sections Habermas Theory of Communicative Action is applied to ethics and morality in the form of his discourse ethics – the heart of this contribution (section 3). In this process the following four aspects of Habermas’s discourse ethics are discussed: Its qualified Kantian deontological dimension, as well as its universalist, cognitivist, and formalist dimensions. In the following section (4) the discussion of discourse ethics is shifted to Habermas’s theory of law, deliberative politics, and democracy which is a further application of ideas developed in his Theory of Communicative Action. The contribution then ends with some critical remarks on Habermas discourse ethics and sketch of law and politics (section 5) Three arguments are presented in this regard. First, Habermas argument is judged to be too closely related to abstract rationality. Secondly the distinction that Habermas makes between morality and ethics is critically investigated. Finally, the Habermasian use of justification in his argument is critically compared with the concept of application. These points of criticism, though, indicate that the debate on Habermas’s discourse ethics is ongoing.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article deals with the concept of discourse ethics (in the Kantian tradition of ethics) as developed firstly by Karel Otto Apel and later refined by Jurgen Habermas for his own purposes. The line of argumentation developed here has significant relevance for philosophy, moral theory, law, and theology. Discourse ethics can be considered as a contemporary version of Kantian deontological ethics after the linguistic turn.

How can strategies based on performance measurement and feedback support changes in nursing practice? A theoretical reflection drawing on Habermas' social perspective.

Strategies based on performance measurement and feedback are commonly used to support quality improvement among nurses. These strategies require practice change, which, for nurses, rely to a large extent on their capacity to coordinate with each other effectively. However, the levers for coordinated action are difficult to mobilize. This discussion paper offers a theoretical reflection on the challenges related to coordinating nurses' actions in the context of practice changes initiated by performance measurement and feedback strategies. We explore how Jürgen Habermas' theory of Communicative Action may shed light on the issues underlying nurses' collective actions and self-determination in practice change and the implications for the design of strategies based on performance measurement and feedback. Based on this theory, we propose differences between communicative and functional coordination according to the nature of the actions and the purposes involved. The domains of action underlying these coordination processes, which Habermas referred to as the lifeworld and the system, are then used to draw a parallel with aspects of nursing practice. Further exploration of these concepts allows us to consider the tensions between the demands of the system and the self-determination of nurses within their practice.

Online Decision Support Infrastructures for Integrating Spatial Planning and Flood Risk Management Policies

Accessible geospatial data are crucial for informed decision making and policy development in urban planning, environmental governance, and hazard mitigation. Spatial data infrastructures (SDIs) have been implemented to facilitate such data access. However, with the rapid advancements in geospatial software and modelling tools, it is important to re-visit the theoretical discussion about the different roles of data-focused SDIs and decision support and modelling tools, particularly in relation to their different impacts on policy making and policy integration. This research focuses on addressing this issue within the specific context of policy integration in spatial planning and flood risk management. To investigate this, an experiment was conducted comparing a data-focused SDI, the Myplan Viewer, with a prototype Internet-based Spatially Integrated Policy Infrastructure (SIPI). The findings reveal that the SIPI, which provides access to both data and decision support and modelling tools, significantly enhances policy integration compared to the Myplan Viewer. Moreover, drawing upon communicative action theory, this study underscores that while data-focused SDIs support instrumental goals, they possess limitations in facilitating trade-offs and balancing diverse interests in the policy-making process, particularly in supporting strategic and communicative actions.

Public Speaking and Career Advancement: Experiences of Past Student Leaders from Ghana Institute of Journalism

Public speaking is a relevant skill, especially for those who aspire to be leaders, including student leaders. Being able to communicate effectively, eloquently, making meaningful statements as well as persuading people to agree to your opinion cannot be taken for granted for anyone who aspires to take a public leadership position. Similar to any democratic political system, winning leadership position in institutions of higher learning requires persuasive skills to make colleagues buy into your vision to win. Though some people have the natural ability to speak eloquently and communicate their thoughts publicly, others learn to do that, fostering the incorporation of public speaking into the curricular for Public Relations students at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ). Using the Theory of Communicative Action and a qualitative methodology, this study sought to understand how student leaders in GIJ came by their public speaking skills and how it impacted their career choices. Findings indicate that students who took up leadership positions had mastered the public speaking skills through social institutions before entering GIJ, partly because they had the leadership aspiration. The curriculum training was seen as a supplement to harness that skill, and the art of public speaking greatly influenced their career choices.

DIALOGUE AS A TOOL FOR INTERCULTURAL COEXISTENCE IN THE MULTICULTURAL CLASSROOM: TEACHERS’ VIEWS

In the context of the present study, we attempted to explore teachers’ views on the role of dialogue and intersubjective communication, both in the public sphere and in the ecology of the classroom. The theoretical framework of the research was the theory of communicative action of Habermas. The research was conducted in the framework of the qualitative research method with semi-structured interviews as a methodological tool for data collection. The sample of the research was fifteen (15) Greek primary school teachers and the questionnaire consisted of thirteen (13) questions. The findings of the research show that teachers: praised the role of dialogue, recognizing its value in the effort to peaceful coexistence between different cultures; appeared to attach great importance to the role of dialogue in the classroom, recognizing its importance and value; stressed the value of getting to know new cultures, which can enrich the “native culture” with new elements; stated that social change can come about through dialogue.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0014/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Communication and Affectivity in the being and Pedagogical Doing of the Teacher of the Communication Career

This article makes an epistemic journey of communication in man, its relevance in everyday intersubjective processes and empathic communication problems in university contexts. Purpose to interpret the communication and affectivity of being a teacher of the Communication career of the National University of Chimborazo from its Pedagogical work. In addition, the relevance of the word for communicators and the vision of communicative competence from the communication career are discussed. Communicative competence is seen not as a doing, but from being, to understand and achieve processes of teacherstudent intersubjectivity. Then bridges are established with the theory of communicative action of Habermas (1999) who offers a phenomenological vision of communication to achieve consensus and meetings mediated by the word. From the interpretive paradigm and the phenomelogical-hermeneutical method, and discourse analysis. It ends with the reaffirmation that it is only.

Social interactions in mandatory teleworking: From instrumental rationality to the theory of communicative action in the workplace context

Interpersonal relationships at work usually occur face-to-face. During the Covid-19 pandemic, these interactions shifted to a virtual way. This essay intends to analyze telecommuting from an individual perspective, bringing Max Weber’s theory of social action and Jürgen Habermas theory of communicative action to the discussion. Instrumental rationality has prevailed since the Second Industrial Revolution, reaching its apogee in the capitalist production system with Taylor-Fordism. It was not found in the literature an approach to telework with a focus on the interaction between individuals, the core of the Weberian theory of social action. Habermas’ theory of communicative action, in this approach, is used to emphasize the importance of language and communication in telework.

Fake in the Context of Worldview Determinants of Modern Society

Introduction. The increasing intensification of false meanings in the communicative space, which permanently generates the processes of alienation in society, actualizes the reflection of the phenomenon of fake messages, requiring their socio-philosophical understanding. The purpose of the article is to identify the specifics of the positioning of a fake, on the one hand, and to diagnose the risks associated with the power of the impact of false meanings that stimulate latent tensions and challenges in society, on the other. Materials and Methods. The theoretical and methodological basis was the concept of the post-non-classical social and humanitarian paradigm, which includes the principles of complementarity and pluralism. The study is based on the synergetic method, the theory of communicative action (J. Habermas), as well as the value approach. The theory of simulacra (J. Baudrillard, J. Derrida, M. Foucault, etc.) is methodologically significant for revealing the essence of a fake in the context of virtual space, through the prism of which the fake claims to replace the genuine. Results. Civilizational shifts that have taken place in society are identified and interpreted, which give the impression of a high degree of socio-cultural disorganization, which is reflected in the ideological foundations of social practice. It has been established that fake is a special culture of some new reality, which is actively imposed on the target audience. The formation of a social quality based on a fake involves the use of the latter as an ideological tool for influencing the mass consciousness and controlling people’s behavior. Discussion and Conclusions. The purpose of a fake is to launch an idea into the mass consciousness, inspire the need for certain political events, tune in to certain assessments, arousing strong emotions, and even reasonably push for action. It is concluded that the communicative space is oversaturated with competing ideologies, value systems, functioning under the guise of pluralism of opinions. The multiplicity of fakes not only does not contribute to mutual understanding between different social groups, but also carries the threat of disorganization of society itself. From this point of view, the disorganization introduced into the mass consciousness gives rise to failures in the thinking of the collective subject.

Covid-19 e a participação social: por um necessário diálogo no enfrentamento da pandemia

This article aimed to identify the news published in the Brazilian media that constituted relevant social divergences during a certain period of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020 to July 2021). In this context, it was analyzed the compliance of the federative entities with the constitutional norms that encourage dialogue and social participation in health. This article also investigated the observance of norms that impose democratic values in the health área by the perspective of Habermas’ theory of communicative action. The recommendation of drugs without scientific efficacy for the treatment of COVID-19 and the respective positions of health institutions were studied as a practical example of social divergence in facing the pandemic. The research concluded that it is essential a dialogue to legitimize choices in the health area and to make management acts compatible with the values of the democratic state of law and with the guidelines of social participation in the Brazilian National Health System. The lack of social participation made it difficult to establish harmony in the fight against the pandemic because some decisions, such as the recommendation of ineffective medicines, were questionable as they did not have adequate justifications due to the lack of debates with the scientific community and other segments of society.

Paying attention to tension: studying the perspectives of health care workers, sports club volunteers, and people with type 2 diabetes, engaged in public-civil physical activity collaboration

ABSTRACT Collaborations between public institutions and civil society organisations are popular. One such context for public-civil collaboration is rehabilitation, where health care institutions and sports clubs collaborate in supporting physical activity for people with non-communicable diseases. More specifically, our study involves health care workers, sports club volunteers, and people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), whose perspectives on physical activity might differ. The objective of this article is methodological in the sense that we aim to explore how focusing on moments of tension, arising in interactions between the different people involved, may be useful for researching perspectives on public-civil collaborations. To accomplish this goal, we describe how we conducted fieldwork during collaborative rehabilitation practices and how moments of tension manifested in the fieldnotes. Upon realising the potential significance of such moments, we identified six areas in which tension arose. Two of these areas are then used as examples to show how we moved analytically from the moments of tension identified in the fieldnotes to formulating interest/value statements (IVSs). Subsequently, we describe how these IVSs were utilised in focus group interviews to stimulate conversations by (re)creating tension. Furthermore, leaning on Habermas’ theory of communicative action, we discuss how IVSs based on moments of tension might lead to discussions around not only the views of the other parties in collaborations but also the reasons for those views, and the legitimacy of those reasons.

The Theory of Communicative Action in Da’wah

Abstract This study embarks on an in-depth exploration of the application of Jürgen Habermas’s Theory of Communicative Action in the context of Da’wah. Despite Da’wah’s pivotal role in Islamic societies, there is a conspicuous absence of literature that applies modern communication theories to this practice.  This paper aims to fill this gap by scrutinizing how the Theory of Communicative Action, a framework devised for understanding social interactions and communication, can be utilized in Da’wah. The research employs a qualitative approach, with secondary data gathered from a comprehensive review of existing literature on both Da’wah and the Theory of Communicative Action.
 The findings reveal that the principles of the Theory of Communicative Action can indeed be applied to Da’wah, offering fresh insights into how this religious practice can be understood and executed more effectively in today’s society. Furthermore, this study identifies potential areas for future research, thereby contributing to the ongoing academic discourse on this topic.
 The implications of this research are substantial, as it not only enriches academic knowledge but also offers practical insights for those engaged in Da’wah. By applying the Theory of Communicative Action more effectively in contemporary society.
 Keywords: Theory of Communicative Action, Da’wah, Islamic Societies, Social Interactions, Communication theories, Modern Society

P82: A video-based qualitative analysis of case conferences to reduce BPSD

Background and objectives:Case conferences are described as a goal-oriented, systematic method that team members can use to develop person centred treatment actions for a particular care problem. However, not all case conferences have proven to be effective. The Norwegian Targeted Interdisciplinary Model for the Evaluation and Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (TIME) is an effective multicomponent model based on case conferences that informs approaches to behavioural and psychological symptoms in residents with dementia. Our aim was to explore how TIME case conferences structured based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) contributed to person-centred actions and how the specific structure of the TIME may have contributed to the effectiveness of the model.Methods:We used video observation of six case conferences. Videos in research provide extended opportunities for studying in detail the complexity of interactions that take place in social groups. We analysed these videos by iteratively watching them and performing a thematic cross-case analysis of their transcripts. Based on Habermas’s theory of communicative action, we emphasized what was talked about in the case conferences, and the display of communication between the participants in the case conferences.Results:Our findings showed that the theoretical principles behind the TIME, including both person- centred care and the inductive structure of CBT, reflected many aspects of Habermas’s theory of communicative actions. In particular, the TIME case conferences emphasized the lifeworld perspective for both residents, staff, and contributed to what Habermas labelled communicative rationality as a means to develop shared understanding among staff and create person-centred action.Conclusions:One causal assumption of how and why the TIME case conferences contributed to the effectiveness of the TIME in reducing BPSD in nursing homes is that the specific inductive structure of the case conferences with the column technique based on the ABC method together with PCC emphasized the importance of the lifeworld for both the resident and the staff. Even though case conferences have been highlighted as useful, it is not indifferent how these case conferences are structured and conducted.

Instrumental Tort Law: Moral Technology or the Promise of a More Advanced Normative Underpinning?

Abstract In recent decades, tort law, and the theory on which it is based, have been the subject of intense debate. These debates focus on the underlying rationale of tort law and reflect tensions between instrumental and non-instrumental perspectives. Instrumental perspectives cover a wide variety of approaches in which tort law is seen as a tool to realise social aims. It can be recognised in the theories of legal economists, such as Posner, who emphasise deterrence, but also in the theories of those who consider it to be an instrument to realise compensation or to contribute to distributive justice. The non-instrumental perspective reflects the concerns of those who consider tort law to be based on individual autonomy and liberty. Some advocates of this perspective adopt a straightforward anti-instrumental position. Weinrib and Beever for instance, object to tort law being used as an instrument to realise collective aims. An instrumental approach would make individuals – either the injurers or the victims – the servants of collective aims, whereas tort law should instead protect individual freedom in the face of community needs.These non-instrumental theories and their individualistic interpretation of liability are unrealistic in a society where people are embedded in wide networks of interdependency, in which risks are often anticipated and deliberately accepted as socially desirable, and in which insurance and its accompanying rationale of actuarial justice play a prominent role.Nevertheless, the issue I seek to address in this paper is whether the principle of corrective justice might not embody some important values that can be used to counter some problematic aspects of an instrumental approach. Based on an awareness that the concept of corrective justice as a whole is no longer realistic in today’s society and building on Habermas’ theory of communicative action, I will sketch the contours of an alternative underpinning for tort law that better reflects current social realities, while at the same time taking some normative reservations held by advocates of corrective justice against instrumentalism into account.

Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Changed Firms’ Management Discussion and Analysis Disclosure Approach? Evidence from Japan

ABSTRACT This study examines whether the COVID-19 pandemic changes Japanese firms’ approach to management discussion and analysis (MD&A) disclosure. Based on readability (text genericity) and tone, I investigate whether management obfuscate text during the pandemic or attempt to provide information. Additionally, I examine whether bad news is inherently difficult to read based on the difficulty of the text. During the pandemic, the tone value of MD&A disclosure is negative in fraudulent firms and more negative in nonfraudulent firms. Both types of firms attempt to communicate their company’s situation with honesty, thus satisfying the legitimacy criterion of communicative action theory. This result is not consistent with the results for Europe and the United States, where readability is lower. As a disaster-prone country, Japanese managers may find it easier to share deteriorating firm performance with investors. Nonfraudulent firms also increase textual difficulty during the pandemic, which supports ontology theory. Data Availability: Data are available from sources identified in the paper. JEL Classifications: M41; M42.

Conditional aspects of school-home conversations

The focus of this study is the conditions in which conversations between school and home take place, and the discussion highlights questions such as the following: Are the participants sincere? Do the participants express the truth about the pupils’ school facilities? How does pupil participating impact the conversation? The background for the study is that conversations between school and home should, according to laws and proposals, be characterized by dialogue (1995; 1998a; 1998b), and research results which show that dialogue in these conversations is quite frequently absent (Lidén, 1997; Nordahl, 2000; Nordahl & Sørlie, 1996; Vestre, 1995). Dialogue is understood here as being communicative action as described by Habermas  in The Theory of Communicative Action (1984; , 1987). This theory is criticised, however, this is not commented upon in this paper. Certain conditional aspects are tied to the conversation if it is to be considered as communicative action, and the research question is therefore: “What characterizes the conversation between school and home, and how does the conversation coincide in communicative action?” Through studying the participants’ everyday practices and comparing these with communicative action, one may acquire knowledge about how the conversation corresponds with/does not correspond with communicative action, and in this way get insight into the conditional aspects of school-home conversations.

Explanatory Value of Reason in Public Space: Use and Misuse in Political Speech

In this article, the concept of communicative rationality and its practical application in public debates will be explored. Focusing on the importance of the communicative treatment of reason, validity, and its practical implications, the article critically examines Jürgen Habermas's theory of communicative action and its ethical elements. The potential difficulties of bridging the gap between theory and practice are highlighted by discussing the distinction between theoretical discourse and discursive practice. Through an analysis of Habermas' approach, the paper aims to improve public discourse quality and understand how communicative reason works in practical terms. It considers the pragmatic context of communicative action, the importance of claiming validity, and the process of validating. It discusses the concept of communicative reason in the context of concrete instances of communication, such as public discussion. It emphasizes the importance of communicative reason and the pursuit of the common good in promoting productive discussion and compromise.

AIsmosis and the pas de deux of human-AI interaction: Exploring the communicative dance between society and artificial intelligence

As the global influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in our daily lives and the looming advent of artificial general intelligence (AGI) become increasingly apparent, the need for a sophisticated interpretive framework intensifies. This paper introduces ‘AIsmosis’–a term that captures AI’s gradual, nuanced integration into society, and akin to the biological process of osmosis. AI’s integration dynamics are examined through the lens of three pivotal theories: social construction of technology, technological determinism, and diffusion of innovations. These theories collectively elucidate the sociocultural influences on AI, the potential repercussions of unchecked technological growth, and the factors driving the adoption of novel technologies. Building upon these explorations, the ‘controlled AIsmosis’ conceptual framework emerges, emphasizing ethically conscious development, active stakeholder communication, and democratic dialogue in the context of AI technology adoption. Rooted in communicative action theory, this framework illuminates AI’s transformative impact on society. It calls for a comprehensive evaluation of systems that steer AI diffusion and their potential impacts, acknowledging the pervasive influence of AI and transcending traditional disciplinary boundaries. This work underscores the need for a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach in investigating the complex AI-society interplay and understanding the ethical and societal consequences of AIsmosis.

Conflict Resolution through Communication: Habermasian Study of Pinter’s The Homecoming

In his Communicative Action Theory, Habermas argues that it is possible to achieve an innovative rationality which has the ability to resolve social conflicts and reach consensus and mutual understanding through communicative action. This ‘communicative rationality’ rests on intersubjective recognition of Habrmasian three ‘validity claims’: Truth, Rightness, and Truthfulness. Based on this classification and drawing on critical-qualitative research into Pinter’s The Homecoming, this paper examines the speech acts of the characters in this play to see if they are able to redeem their criticisable validity claims discursively in their familial context. The conclusion which is drawn here is that ‘emancipation’ can be achieved through ‘communicative rationality’ only if all the members of family and, on a larger scale, all members of society have an equal share of power; and, ‘communicative action’ can be possible even through silence, monologues, and deformed dialogues which are Pinter’s unique style in composing theatrical dialogues. Keywords: Habermas, Pinter, The Homecoming, Communicative rationality, Communicative action.