Knowledge and Human Interests

"Knowledge and Human Interests" is a philosophical work by Jurgen Habermas that explores how human needs and social conditions influence the pursuit of knowledge. It suggests that our ways of understanding the world are shaped by our practical interests—like survival, social integration, or understanding ourselves—rather than just curiosity or objective inquiry. These interests guide how and why we seek knowledge, affecting what we value as true or meaningful. Essentially, it highlights that our quest for understanding is intertwined with our social goals and needs, not just a pure desire for facts.