Habermas to Visit Harvard Seminars

Jurgen Habermas appears on the reading lists of the College's social studies concentrators. He will soon appear on their calendars too.

Habermas-who Seyla Benhabib, chair of the Committee on Degrees in Social Studies, called "post-war Europe's most distinguished political and social thinker"-will visit Harvard on Oct. 28. Habermas will participate in a seminar discussion in social studies and a workshop seminar at the Center for European Studies (CES).

The morning session's attendants-Faculty members and lecturers in social studies, members of the social studies committee, and 15 to 20 juniors and seniors-will join Habermas in a discussion about social theory and Habermas' own work. The students will be picked by a random lottery.

Many social studies concentrators said they were not aware of Habermas' upcoming visit, but are excited about the chance to meet with the 68-year-old luminary.

"I don't think any social studies concentrator who embraces progressive enlightenment theory can turn this event down," Navin Narayan '99 said in an e-mail message. "As social studies concentrators, we have been bred to savor these opportunities."

Benhabib recognizes that many students will be disappointed by the limited number of spaces available at the morning seminar.

"We know we'll be deluged," said Benhabib, who studied with Habermas in the late 1970s and early 1980s. "We are just absolutely delighted that he was able to fit us into his very busy schedule."

Benhabib added that Habermas may return to the College later this year for a future event at which attendance would be less restrictive.

By agreeing to come to Harvard, Habermas "shows his own commitment to the pedagogical aspects of work in the university," Benhabib said. "He thrives on interaction with undergraduates and graduate students."

During his visit, Habermas will also participate in a seminar entitled, "Dilemmas of European Leadership," a by-invitation-only event on citizenship and European integration.

Benhabib said Dillon Professor of the Civilization of France Stanley Hoffmann, CES Director Charles S. Maier and Professor of Government and of Sociology Theda Skocpol will be among those in attendance.

Habermas, professor emeritus at the University of Frankfurt and a visiting professor at the New York University School of Law, was unavailable for comment.