critique of instrumental reason

The critique of instrumental reason questions the idea that reasoning and knowledge are only valuable if they serve practical, immediate goals like controlling nature or achieving personal success. Philosophers like Kant and Habermas argue this focus can overlook moral and ethical considerations, reducing human reasoning to a tool for efficiency rather than a means for genuine understanding and moral growth. It warns against valuing knowledge solely for its usefulness, advocating instead for a broader perspective that includes ethical reflection and the pursuit of meaning beyond practical calculation.