Reasoning, Argumentation, and Deliberative Democracy

In light of the latest research from cognitive and developmental psychology, this key text explores reasoning, rationality, and democracy, considering the unique nature of each and their relationship to each other.

Broadening our understanding from the development of reasoning and rationality in individuals to encompass social considerations of argumentation and democracy, the book connects psychological literature to philosophy, law, political science, and educational policy. Based on psychological research, Moshman sets out a system of deliberative democracy that promotes collaborative reasoning, rational institutions such as science and law, education aimed at the promotion of rationality, and intellectual freedom for all. Also including the biological bases of logic, metacognition, and collaborative reasoning, Moshman argues that, despite systematic flaws in human reasoning, there are reasons for a cautiously optimistic assessment of the potential for human rationality and the prospects for democracy.

Reasoning, Argumentation, and Deliberative Democracy will be essential reading for all researchers of thinking and reasoning from psychology, philosophy, and education.

1. Introduction

Overview

Reasoning and Rationality

Cognition and Development

Argumentation and Democracy

Conclusion

2. Development of Logical Reasoning

Early Logic

Progress in Logical Reasoning

Logical Reasoning in Adulthood

Mathematical Reasoning

Conclusion

3. Reasoning Beyond Logic

Scientific Reasoning

Moral Reasoning

Social Conventional Reasoning

Reasoning as Epistemologically Self-Regulated Thinking

Conclusion

4. Metacognition and Epistemic Cognition

Metacognition

Epistemic Development in Childhood

Epistemic Development Beyond Childhood

Complexities of Epistemic Cognition

Conclusion

5. Argumentation as Collaborative Reasoning

Collaborative Reasoning in a Logic Task

Additional Evidence for Collective Rationality

The Rational Social Ideal

Conclusion

6. Democracy as Collaborative Rationality

Deliberative Democracy

Is Democracy Psychologically Possible?

Rationality and Identity

Rational Institutions

Intellectual Freedom in Society

Conclusion

7. The Rational Construction of Rational Agency

"The Enigma of Reason"

Constructivist Accounts of Development

Development Across and Beyond Childhood

Development of Rational Self-Governance

Conclusion

8. Education for Rationality

Critical Thinking

Education as the Promotion of Development

Indoctrination in Curriculum and Instruction

Intellectual Freedom in Education

The Rational Ideal

Conclusion

9. Reasons and Persons

Becoming the Borg

"The Robot’s Rebellion"

Who Counts as a Person?

What Counts as a Reason?

Conclusion

Glossary

References

Author Index

Subject Index