The Entwinement of Argument and Rhetoric: A Dialectical Reading of Habermas' Theory of Communicative Action

Abstract

Seemingly unwilling to include a sense of rhetorical practice in his theory of argumentation, Habermas does reflect on the need to incorporate forms of strategic action into his theory of consensus building. Working from an understanding of the limits of the theory of communicative action, this essay proposes that Habermas has not fully considered how controversy and oppositional argument block intersubjective agreement and action coordination. The essay argues that Habermas' own thinking about the relationship of strategic and communicative action suggests a form of rhetorical practice that serves to theoretically cement the ability of individuals to reach agreement.