Pragmatist Philosophy of Democracy

<p>In recent years there has been a renewed interest in American pragmatism. In political philosophy the revival of pragmatism has led to a new appreciation for the democratic theory of John Dewey. </p><p>In this book Robert B. Talisse advances a series of <em>pragmatic</em> arguments against Deweyan democracy. Particularly Talisse argues that Deweyan democracy cannot adequately recognize <em>pluralism</em> the fact that intelligent sincere and well-intentioned persons can disagree sharply and reasonably over moral ideals. Drawing upon the epistemology of the founder of pragmatism Charles S. Peirce Talisse develops a conception of democracy that is anti-Deweyan but nonetheless pragmatist. Talisse then brings the Peircean view into critical conversation with contemporary developments in democratic theory including deliberative democracy Rawlsian political liberalism and Richard Posner’s democratic realism. The result is a new pragmatist option in democratic theory.</p>