[FRA:] Enlightenment under attack

[matthew piscioneri]

Re-basic thesis of DoE...


>I have always read it as a condemnation of Enlightenment 
>instrumentalization of reason as a betrayal of reason;

they do hold out a glimmer of this in the intro. I agree; but I take the 
main theme of the DoE is that enlightenment reverts to myth/always was 
myth...i.e: enlightenment is an illusion and attempts at enlightenment 
typically invert into mythic oppression in different forms.

A great deal of Habermas's _TCA_ era project was an attempt to break the 
spell of H&A's DoE thesis that Enlightenment inexorably *reverts* to myth by 
positing a form of reason (communicative reason) that could resist this 
dialectical dynamic. Did he succeed? On a conceptual , fairly abstract level 
tentatively "yes"... as he says himself all he wanted to do was establish 
*some* form of non-defeatist reason.

it's also interesting that practical applications of communicatively 
rationalized programs show distortion and can lend themselves to beguiling 
participants within a web of an illusory transparency. You know what I'm 
talking about - those programs of transparent consultation with ALL 
stakeholders where everyone can communicate their interests in a 
non-distorted context without fear or favour blah blah blah.

You leave the meeting on a foolish high. As soon as you are out of earshot 
the warm and gushy *facilitators* look at each other and say in unison: 
suckers.

best,

mattP