Difference as Common In Defense of Difference as the Anti-Foundation for Liberal Cosmopolitan Dialogue
Date of Award
2010
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Humanities
First Advisor
Flakne, April
Keywords
Cosmopolitan, Speech Theory, Liberalism
Area of Concentration
Philosophy
Abstract
The task of the thesis is to propose an anti-foundation for liberal cosmopolitan dialogue, such that dialogue both across and within cultural divides be more inclusive, and better representative of liberal ideals. The first chapter explores an ideal type of liberalism, informed by a tradition of natural right and Mill�s theory of the freedom of speech, showing how Mill�s theory fails within Butler�s critique of the marginalizing effects of �universalizable� foundations. The second chapter Antony Kwame Appiah�s theory of �rooted cosmopolitanism�. This is shown to be an unsuccessful solution to the problem of inclusive cosmopolitan dialogue, when put to MacIntyre�s critique of translation. The third chapter presents Rorty as attempting to save cosmopolitan discourse through a non-foundationalist approach. Yet, lacking a foundation, discourse becomes an act of either imposing an alien/dominant world-view or exoticizing the Other for selfish betterment--a theory that a liberal ought to avoid�an imperialist theory. The fourth chapter, develops an anti-foundation of difference from which we can have interlocution; starting with Jean-Fran�ois Lyotard�s theory of interlocution and le differend, incorporating Hannah Arendt�s theory of the public realm. Additionally, this chapter shows how a genuine anti-foundational cosmopolitanism can help to assuage the inconsistencies in liberal theory of speech and dialogue itself.
Recommended Citation
DuFord, Rochelle H., "Difference as Common In Defense of Difference as the Anti-Foundation for Liberal Cosmopolitan Dialogue" (2010). Theses & ETDs. 4252.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/4252
Rights
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