With Jürgen Habermas, Goethe University loses one of the most influential philosophers of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and the most prominent representative of the second generation of the Frankfurt School. Habermas significantly developed Critical Theory, building on the work of Theodor W. Adorno and Max Horkheimer. At the same time, he was the most influential public intellectual in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, whose voice continued to shape debates after German reunification in 1990 and far beyond Germany's borders.
"Habermas' contributions to a philosophical theory of communicative reason, to the foundations of rational freedom and social justice, to the normativity and institutionalization of law, and to the role of religion in secular and pluralistic societies have inspired worldwide reception and vibrant debates that continue at Goethe University Frankfurt to this day," said University President Prof. Enrico Schleiff, honoring the late scholar. "His groundbreaking work, as well as his personal presence at the university and his close intellectual relationships with many members of our academic community, extend far beyond the lifetime of this extraordinary scholar and exceptional teacher. They will continue to shape research and teaching at Goethe University Frankfurt for years to come, including within the framework of the Rhine-Main Universities alliance."
Habermas had already donated part of his literary estate to Goethe University Frankfurt in 2011, followed by another portion in 2025. As a result, research on his work is now primarily anchored in Frankfurt - the place that formed the central focus of his intellectual development and career. The Frankfurt School, Critical Theory, and the work of Jürgen Habermas remain central to the identity of Goethe University, which seeks - across a wide range of disciplines - to address fundamental questions facing contemporary society.
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Caption: Jürgen Habermas delivering a lecture at Goethe University Frankfurt during an event marking his 90th birthday in 2019. (Photo: Uwe Dettmar/Goethe University Frankfurt)
