In Memoriam: Jürgen Habermas and the hope in dialogical reason

Abstract

The academic world, particularly philosophy and the social sciences—and indeed society at large—deeply mourn the loss of Jürgen Habermas, who passed away on March 14, 2026, at the age of 96 in his home in Sternberg, southern Germany. Considered one of the most influential thinkers of our time and a moral compass of contemporary political culture, Habermas leaves behind a legacy that transcends the boundaries of Germany and of philosophy itself. Throughout his extensive career, he established himself as the principal heir and transformative figure of the Critical Theory of the Frankfurt School, dedicating his life to defending the project of the Enlightenment and placing his trust in reason as an indispensable guide for morality and politics. His passing leaves a profound void, yet his work will endure as an essential theoretical pillar for understanding and advancing social theory and the foundations of modern democracies.