The question of who may speak about Jürgen Habermas — and who may not — has resurfaced ahead of the Frankfurt School’s commemorative conference in June 2026. Organizers of the event, described as working “klammheimlich” or covertly, are grappling with how to assert that Critical Theory cannot be reduced to a matter of succession, like a corporate handover.
This tension reflects broader debates about the legacy of the Frankfurt School and its foundational thinkers. According to verified sources, Critical Theory emerged in the first half of the 20th century as a social theory aimed at critiquing and transforming society by uncovering mechanisms of domination and control. It integrates Marxist economic analysis with cultural, ideological, and social-psychological critique to understand how prevailing power structures are maintained.
The Institut für Sozialforschung (Institute for Social Research) in Frankfurt am Main, established in 1923, served as the institutional heart of this tradition. It was here that figures like Max Horkheimer, Theodor W. Adorno, Herbert Marcuse, and Erich Fromm developed their seminal works. Later, Jürgen Habermas became the leading figure of the school’s second generation, shaping its evolution through theories of communicative action and deliberative democracy.
Habermas, born in 1929, remains a central reference point in contemporary discussions about democracy, rationality, and the public sphere. His work builds on earlier Frankfurt School thinkers while shifting focus toward language, reason, and the potential for democratic consensus-building in complex societies.
The upcoming conference in June 2026 seeks to examine what Critical Theory offers in response to current societal crises. Organizers emphasize that the tradition is not a static doctrine to be inherited or administered, but a living, critical practice rooted in immanent critique — measuring society against its own stated values of freedom, equality, and justice.
This approach distinguishes Critical Theory from mere academic exercise or ideological allegiance. As noted in authoritative references, its goal has always been transformative: to contribute to more just social arrangements by exposing contradictions in modern life, particularly those arising under capitalism and bureaucratic rationalization.
Figures such as Axel Honneth and Rahel Jaeggi represent later generations continuing this engagement, applying Critical Theory to issues of recognition, labor, and social struggles. Their work illustrates how the framework has evolved while maintaining its core commitment to emancipation through reasoned critique.
The organizers’ concern about framing the event as a “succession” underscores a key anxiety: that Habermas’s legacy might be reduced to a ceremonial or institutional ritual, detached from the theory’s original impetus to challenge injustice and foster self-reflection in society.
By insisting that Critical Theory “cannot be wound up” like a business, the organizers aim to preserve its critical edge — ensuring that discussions remain grounded in inquiry rather than veneration. This stance aligns with the tradition’s skepticism toward fixed authorities and its emphasis on ongoing questioning.
As preparations continue, the debate over who gets to speak for Habermas reflects a deeper struggle over the meaning and direction of Critical Theory itself. Is it a historical artifact to be studied? A dogma to be defended? Or, as its founders intended, a tool for understanding and changing the world?
The Frankfurt School’s centenary reflections, including the 2023 Marxistische Arbeitswoche, have already highlighted the tradition’s enduring relevance in analyzing contemporary capitalism, authoritarian tendencies, and crises of legitimacy. The 2026 conference builds on this momentum, aiming to foster rigorous, open-ended inquiry rather than prescribe orthodoxies.
For global audiences, this discussion offers insight into how intellectual traditions navigate legacy and change. It raises questions applicable beyond philosophy: how do societies honor influential thinkers without fossilizing their ideas? How can critical traditions remain vital across generations?
As the June event approaches, the organizers’ quiet efforts signal a commitment to preserving the spirit of inquiry that defined the Frankfurt School from its inception. Their challenge is not merely administrative but philosophical: to ensure that speaking about Habermas remains an act of critical engagement, not reverence.
The outcome will influence how Critical Theory is perceived and practiced in the years ahead — determining whether it continues to serve as a dynamic resource for diagnosing and responding to the complexities of modern social life.
Stay tuned for updates on the Frankfurt Habermas-Konferenz as details emerge, and consider how the questions it raises apply to ongoing efforts to build more just and reflective societies.
