Some contributions of Habermas to the study of public communication of science

Abstract

This theoretical essay gathers reflections from three publications by Jürgen Habermas from the 1960s that can contribute to the study of the public communication of science. We use these ideas to create a graphical representation that summarizes a desirable dynamic for practice while considering information flows that pass through politicized universities, the social life-world and the context of political decisions. This essay considers the inclusion of the public in the scientific agenda and in policy decisions related to that agenda. A concept of public communication of dialogical science—now widely advocated but still difficult to operationalize—is present in the German philosopher’s thinking in books published more than 50 years ago.

Keywords

• Public communication of science
• Jürgen Habermas
• Social participation
• Policy decision