ABSTRACT
Jürgen Habermas became involved in discussions on postmodern theory through Jean-Franois Lyotard's 1979 essay The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge. In his essay, Lyotard mentions Habermas briefly. Lyotard is most critical of Habermas's concept of "consensus." He questions its dependence on the validity of the narrative of emancipation and more specifically the claims Habermas's theory of consensus makes regarding humanity as a collective/universal subject. "Consensus" according to Lyotard is nothing more or less than the latest variation of the grand narratives and the cultural imperialism (terrorism) that comes with them. According to Lyotard, postmodern theory should now focus on dissension.
