PLEASE NOTE: The seminar has returned to its old home in the PHILOSOPHY COMMON ROOM (although it is still only accessible via the staircase to the north of the bell tower). ---------------- USyd Philosophy Postgraduate Work-in-Progress Seminar
Millie Churcher: 'Public Reason and the Problem of Conceptual Exclusion' Monday, October 10, 3:30-5:00pm, Main Quad, Philosophy Common Room (University of Sydney) ABSTRACT: In this paper I focus on John Rawls’ account of public reason, which deals with the question of how state power can be legitimately exercised over citizens of a constitutional democratic society, given the fact of reasonable pluralism. Informing my discussion is Miranda Fricker’s (2007) account of hermeneutical injustice, and Brandon Morgan-Olsen’s (2010) paper on the political ramifications of this phenomenon. In particular I will be considering Morgan-Olsen’s critique that Rawls’ theory of deliberative democracy is unable to adequately deal with the issue of how we are to accommodate identity-based claims that are morally relevant (and ought to influence legislation to varying extents) but which draw on non-mainstream concepts that are not publicly assessable. My claim is that Rawls’ account has the resources to accommodate Olsen’s concern, however it requires supplementation. Everyone is welcome to attend. If you would like to present or require further information, please contact Nick Malpas at [email protected]. The format is 30 minutes for presentations followed by 1 hour of discussion. Since the primary aim of this seminar is to generate discussion, presentations need not be particularly polished or formal.
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