Gamwell, Franklin.  "Metaphysics and the Rationalization of Society."  Process Studies 23, nos. 3-4 (Fall-Winter 1994): 219-37.

Abstracts

(1) Whitehead's "Adventures of Ideas" includes the outlines of a social theory with many similarities to Habermas's comprehensive theory of societal rationalization, but Whitehead asserts and Habermas denies that a normative theory of democracy depends on metaphysics.  This paper argues that Habermas's discourse ethics fails, in ways that Whitehead's thought leads one to predict, to justify democracy, and the paper suggests directions for revision.  [Abstract from The Philosopher's Index]

(2) Alfred North Whitehead outlined a theory of societal rationalization that is summarily similar to the comprehensive project of Jurgen Habermas.  But Habermas holds that a critical theory of modern society must be postmetaphysical, and Whitehead insists that it requires the metaphysical backing his later works developed.  This paper argues that Habermas's project and, especially, his democratic theory is incoherent in a respect that Whitehead's insistence on metaphysics can be said to predict and suggests that, on Whitehead's account, the rationalization of society requires the rationalization of religion.  [Abstract from The Philosopher's Index]