|
|
classical and the other contemporary––but both are very theoretical and the latter drawing from the former. Emile Durkheim was chosen to represent the classical tradition and Jurgen Habermas the contemporary perspective. Adding sociological theory to philosophy is not quite as radical as it may seem because it is sometimes difficult to separate the sociologist from the political or legal philosopher. While Emile Durkheim is generally accepted as a sociologist and not a philosopher, once discussion turns to figures such as contemporary German social theorist Jurgen Habermas, it is somewhat murkier––is he a sociologist or philosopher? Given that free speech texts rarely, if ever, include Habermas in discussions or anthologies, Habermas will be usurped into the role of sociologist because the free speech philosophers have not yet taken him into their fold publicly. Habermas has created a still-unfinished colloquy concerning freedom of expression. As did Durkheim, Habermas writes prolifically and also occupies a high status within the ranks of sociological theorists. Clearly other sociologists could have been selected, but the choice of Durkheim and Habermas were not arbitrary. Durkheim is generally regarded as the founder of modern sociology and created much of the early theory that continues to guide sociological thought. Durkheim’s early writing on the role of the division of labour in society is readily transferable into a discussion of human communication. For a contemporary contribution, Jurgen Habermas, who has written extensively about communicative theory and the human condition in general, seemed a logical choice.
Politically, Durkheim and Habermas are perhaps strange bedfellows. Durkheim rejected Marx because Durkheim saw religion as the primary moving force in human society whereas Marx viewed political economy in the same role.8 Durkheim also condemned the role of sociologist as a moving force or revolutionary but maintained that sociologists, to be true to their calling, must only be observers. Habermas, in contrast, has a more varied intellectual history and his political philosophy has undergone metamorphosis or maturation as his theories continue to evolve. Initially, he was substantially influenced by Marxism but, with the passage of time,