Rationality as Reason-Giving in Democractic Theory and Law

FAIN: FR-10266-78

David C. Paris
Hamilton College (Clinton, NY 13323-1295)

The purpose of this study is to explicate a conception of rationality as reason-giving and apply it to problems in democratic theory and law. In order to do this it is necessary to (a) criticize the dominant egoist, individualist conception of (calculative) rationality and its uses(s) as the basis for political and moral argument; (b) make certain critical distinctions between wants and values and between preferences and choices; and (c) to develop and examine paradigms of rational moral and political argument (offering good reasons), distinguishing logically and morally acceptable reasons.