Date: Wed, 5 Mar 1997 09:19:35 +0800
From: d_rodan-AT-central.murdoch.edu.au (Debbie Rodan)
Subject: HAB: Horizon concept in TCA


Hi list memebers
At present I am reading and writing about Habermas's use of the term horizon
in TCA Vol 2 p.123 (Beacon).  It appears that there are three kinds of
knowledges which form background knowledge to the lifeworld (Mauve Cooke
_Language and Reason_).  The first two can be more easily foregrounded,
whereas the third kind is not known knowledge.  Now I want to say that it is
this third kind of knowledge of the lifeworld which is what Habermas would
define as the horizon.  This third kind of knowledge is "intuitively
familiar" (Habermas), it is implied and pre-reflexive.  In other words, it
is not at all easily foregrounded.  Then I go on to interpret Habermas as
saying that a horizon is not context-bound but is the background knowledge
to various contexts and situations.  In other words, participants take this
not known knowledge with them as they enter different contexts and situations.

Any comments, criticisms, directions (have you already discussed this?)
would be much appreciated.  Thanks in advance

Debbie

--------------------------------------

Debbie Rodan
Ph.D. English and Comparative Lit.
d_rodan-AT-central.murdoch.edu.au



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