With his far-ranging grasp of both theory (epistemology) and practice (ethics and social philosophy), Professor Habermas has developed a theoretical construct of social philosophy that deals with the act of communication and the formation of consensus through debate, thereby creating an image of what human society should and can be. He has had a great influence on society, both as a superb theoretician, and as a person who speaks out passionately in accordance with his own philosophy about real social issues.