On the need for real dialogue: What's wrong with monological contractualism?

Suzie Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

According to T.M. Scanlon, the core idea of contractualism consists in the claim that what we are morally required to do is conceptually grounded in the value of living in “relations of mutual recognition” with others. Specifically, Scanlon's contractualist idea of “living in relations of mutual recognition with others” requires that one act only in ways that cannot be reasonably rejected by all of those affected, according to the results of a hypothetical reflection conducted within one's own mind. I claim, however, that Scanlon is mistaken to rely on a single individual's hypothetical reflection (monological reflection) to determine what no one affected could reasonably reject. Instead, following Jürgen Habermas, I claim that we must engage in actual dialogue with all who stand to be affected, in order to live in relations of mutual recognition with others.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)939-956
Number of pages18
JournalEuropean Journal of Philosophy
Volume27
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Philosophy

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