Please join us at The Center for Knowledge, Technology, and Society for an in-person talk by Guido Melchior (University of Graz) on
Tuesday May 2nd, 3:30-4.50pm, HG 1010
'Deep Disagreement and Responsibility’
Guido Melchior, University of Graz
The discussion about deep disagreement has gained significant momentum in the last several years. Intuitively, two parties deeply disagree if they do not only disagree about particular propositions but, more generally, about how to settle the disagreement in general. In the first part of this paper, I will raise some methodological problems for the current debate about deep disagreement, arguing that the notion of deep disagreement is too ambiguous and unclear for being useful. I suggest to theorize about rationally irresolvable disagreement instead, which occurs between subjectively rational parties who follow their own distinct views about rationality. In the second part of the paper, I will reflect on moral aspects of rationally irresolvable disagreement. In particular, I will discuss whether subjects who consequently follow their own standards of rationality can be held responsible for not reaching agreement.