Routledge 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. Review "The study of human rationality involves many moving parts of the intellectual landscape. Deep philosophical issues are in an intricate dance with several unresolved problems of human psychology. Few researchers in the area attempt to take on rationality issues as a theoretically connected whole. Instead, it is more common for researchers to burrow deeply into a single modular problem. Moshman takes the opposite approach. Not only does he take on virtually all of the moving parts, but he adds issues that are rarely integrated into standard discussions of rational thinking – issues such as the development of rational thought, collaborative thinking in argumentation, personhood, educational practice, and the foundations of deliberative democracy. The result is something of interest to theorists of almost every theoretical persuasion. Following Samuel Johnson’s "when you are tired of London, you are tired of life," I would advise that if you are a reasoning researcher who can’t find something to engage with in this volume, you are in the wrong field!" ― Keith Stanovich, University of Toronto, Canada "Reasoning, Argumentation and Deliberative Democracy is a terrific book: smart, balanced, and correct on important matters. Moshman’s conception of ‘argumentation as collective rationality’ is insightfully developed and defended. His balanced critique of Mercier and Sperber’s popular conception of argumentation is eye-opening and telling. Moshman’s command of literatures not often found in one mind ― developmental psychology, philosophy, argumentation theory, and deliberative democracy ― is impressive. His use of Star Trek is original and lovely, and his case for thinking that "resistance is not futile," contrary to the Borg’s depressing tag line, is not only powerfully made, but more important than ever in today’s allegedly post-truth world of allegedly fake news. Highly recommended!"― Harvey Siegel, University of Miami, USA "David Moshman is a pioneer in the study of cooperative learning and metacognition―thinking about thinking. In this book, he draws on his vast knowledge of how humans, throughout their lives, learn to think and to reason better, in particular by thinking and reasoning with others. Moshman applies these insights beyond education to pressing political and philosophical questions, delineating a plausible path for our democracies to improve and thrive by better tapping into our cognitive abilities."― Hugo Mercier, Institut Jean Nicod, France "Having appreciated David Moshman’s writings on academic freedom and free speech since the 1980s, I am especially impressed by his comprehensive new book, which draws on multiple disciplines to powerfully explain why such freedoms are essential for rational argumentation a