‘At the hands of a minor talent, profiles are often flat,
two-dimensional outlines of a thinker’s intellectual
physiognomy. At the hands of a master like Jürgen Habermas,
they can become something far more substantial and profound. With
astonishing economy, Habermas sketches his impressions of the
giants of recent German thought, several of whom were his personal
mentors. For those of his readers accustomed to the demandingly
abstract level of his theoretical work, the re...
‘At the hands of a minor talent, profiles are often flat,
two-dimensional outlines of a thinker’s intellectual
physiognomy. At the hands of a master like Jürgen Habermas,
they can become something far more substantial and profound. With
astonishing economy, Habermas sketches his impressions of the
giants of recent German thought, several of whom were his personal
mentors. For those of his readers accustomed to the demandingly
abstract level of his theoretical work, the results will prove a
welcome surprise. Without sacrificing any of the rigor and
brilliance of those longer studies, he displays a remarkable
ability to combine depth with brevity. Philosophical-Political
Profiles not only adds a new dimension to our understanding of the
intellectual odyssey of Germany’s leading contemporary
thinker but also provides a series of stunning insights into the
thought of the generation that preceded him.’
Martin Jay, University of California, Berkley
‘With enormous sensitivity, judiciousness, and critical insight,
Habermas engages in dialogue with many of the leading
German-trained intellectuals of our time-including Heidegger,
Jaspers, Löwith, Bloch, Adorno, Benjamin, Marcuse, Arendt,
Gadamer, Scholem, and others. These essays range over the most
central and vital issues of contemporary life. Whether dealing with
Jewish mysticism or critiques of modernity, Habermas is always
illuminating and incisive. These essays can serve as an excellent
introduction to his thinking. They also help to situate his
theoretical work by revealing his deepest concerns.’
Richard Bernstein, The New School for Social Research
