Childhood and Education Journey of Jürgen Habermas in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Jürgen Habermas. A timeline of key moments.

Jürgen Habermas is a prominent German philosopher and social theorist known for his work on communicative rationality and the public sphere. A key figure in the tradition of critical theory and pragmatism, Habermas examines how rational discourse and open communication are essential for a democratic society. His theories explore how individuals can reach mutual understanding and consensus through reasoned argument, ultimately shaping political and social norms. Habermas's analysis of the public sphere emphasizes its role as a space for critical debate and the formation of public opinion, vital for the legitimacy of political power.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

June 1929: Birth of Jürgen Habermas

In June 1929, Jürgen Habermas, a German philosopher and social theorist known for his work on communicative rationality and the public sphere, was born.

Others born on this day/year

1929: Habermas Born in Düsseldorf

In 1929, Habermas was born in Düsseldorf, Rhine Province. He was born with a cleft palate and underwent corrective surgery twice during his childhood.

Others born on this day/year

1933: Father Joins Nazi Party

In 1933, Habermas' father, Ernst Habermas, joined the Nazi Party and began advising it from 1939.

1935: Heidegger's Lectures

In 1935, Martin Heidegger's lectures (Introduction to Metaphysics) contained a reference to the "inner truth and greatness" of Nazism.

1939: Father Advised Nazi Party

From 1939, Ernst Habermas, Jürgen Habermas's father, advised the Nazi Party.

August 1944: Anti-Aircraft Warfare

From August 1944, Habermas's detachment waged anti-aircraft warfare against the Allied advances on the Siegfried Line.

1945: Germany's Opening to the West

Jürgen Habermas viewed that "Germany's opening to the West" had existed since 1945.

1949: Studies at Göttingen

In 1949, Jürgen Habermas began his studies at the University of Göttingen.

1950: Studies at Zurich

In 1950, Jürgen Habermas studied at the University of Zurich.

1951: Studies at Bonn

In 1951, Jürgen Habermas began his studies at the University of Bonn.

1953: Article in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

In 1953, Jürgen Habermas wrote an article for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung expressing outrage at the publication of Martin Heidegger's 1935 lectures which contained a reference to the "inner truth and greatness" of Nazism.

February 1954: Doctorate in Philosophy

In February 1954, Jürgen Habermas earned a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Bonn with his dissertation, "Das Absolute und die Geschichte. Von der Zwiespältigkeit in Schellings Denken".

1956: Research Assistant to Adorno

In 1956, Jürgen Habermas became Theodor W. Adorno's research assistant at the University of Frankfurt am Main's Institute for Social Research (IfS). He also studied philosophy and sociology under Adorno and Max Horkheimer at the IfS from 1956 to 1959.

1959: Studies at IfS Conclude

From 1956 to 1959, Habermas studied philosophy and sociology under Adorno and Max Horkheimer at the Institute for Social Research (IfS).

1959: Birth of Rebekka Habermas

In 1959, Jürgen Habermas's daughter, Rebekka Habermas, a historian of German social and cultural history, was born.

1961: Labeled a Neo-Marxist

Around the time of his habilitation in 1961, Karl-Otto Apel first labelled Jürgen Habermas a neo-Marxist.

1961: Privatdozent in Marburg

In 1961, Jürgen Habermas became a Privatdozent in Marburg.

1961: Habilitation Work

In 1961, Jürgen Habermas completed his habilitation in political science at the University of Marburg. His work was entitled Strukturwandel der Öffentlichkeit. Untersuchungen zu einer Kategorie der bürgerlichen Gesellschaft.

1962: Professor at Heidelberg University

In 1962, Jürgen Habermas accepted the position of "extraordinary professor" of philosophy at the University of Heidelberg.

1964: Returns to Frankfurt

In 1964, Jürgen Habermas returned to Frankfurt to take over Horkheimer's chair in philosophy and sociology.

1965: Reconciles with Horkheimer

In 1965, Jürgen Habermas reconciled with Horkheimer, who provided a glowing reference for him to the American Jewish Committee.

1969: Adorno's Death

Following Adorno's death in 1969, Habermas recommended Leszek Kołakowski to take up the role of director of the Institute for Social Research.

1971: Co-director at Max Planck Institute

In 1971, Jürgen Habermas accepted the position of co-director of the Max Planck Institute for the Study of the Scientific and Technical World in Starnberg and proclaimed his definitive break with the Frankfurt School of critical theory in a letter to Herbert Marcuse.

1979: Interview at Starnberg

In a 1979 interview at Starnberg, Jürgen Habermas commented that he valued being considered a Marxist and claimed to be "the last Marxist" as late as 1989.

July 1986: Criticism of German Historians

On 11 July 1986, Jürgen Habermas criticized Ernst Nolte, Michael Stürmer, Klaus Hildebrand and Andreas Hillgruber for "apologistic" history writing in regard to the Nazi era in the Die Zeit.