Critical Theory of Justice in the Context of Justification: The Rainer Forst Model

Abstract

This article showcases the contributions of critical theory in its modern form via Rainer Forst, a student of Jürgen Habermas who developed critical theory through engagement with his teacher. While Habermas developed a critical theory in the framework of the distorted communication critique, Forst set forth from the idea that society is the sum of unequally distributed justificatory relations. Thus, the critical theory we introduce here critiques justificatory relations in society as unequal. Oppression is not merely an unjust distribution of economic goods, but also one that withholds the right to challenge these standards from those impacted. As Forst would say, it is to be denied the right to justification.