The Epistemic Value of Public Opinion: Theoretical and Practical Considerations. Issue 3 (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Engelken-Jorge, Marcos
• Is Part Of: Critical horizons. Volume 16:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 264
• Page End: 279
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Critical theory -- Periodicals; 142.05
• DOI: 10.1179/1440991715Z.00000000051
• Languages: German
• ISSNs: 1440-9917

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>This paper discusses the claim that citizens lack sufficient political knowledge to make sound judgements on public matters. It is contended that practical judgements raise essentially two types of claims, namely a claim to empirical truth and a claim to normative rightness, and that there are good reasons to believe that people's insufficient political knowledge undermines both of them. Yet, an examination of the dynamics of public opinion formation reveals that there is an epistemic potential in public opinion, though it is dependent upon the quality of public debate. Building on this idea and on the concept of deliberative responsiveness, two paths of political reform are proposed, which should illustrate the practical implications of the theoretical argument made in this paper by demonstrating how the quality of public debate and, thus, the epistemic value of public opinion could be enhanced.</p> </abstract>