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.

Table of Contents:
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