Democratic faith. A philosophical profile of Richard J. Bernstein

1. I first met Richard Bernstein in Frankfurt the spring of 1988, where he was a visiting professor philosophy while student. remember as truly eye-opening seminar taught together with Jürgen Habermas and Karl-Otto Apel one gave by himself on authors discussed The New Constellation (1991). From that time on, this marvelous Geist became an important mentor for me dear friend, will always be grateful gift. Dick used to refer people fond Yiddish mensch, meaning someone fine character certain knowledge life based experience. A great Aristotelian was, inspires say what true mensch is can hardly capture definition; rather, has point example. And think no better example than himself, warmest, most generous, wise, dialogical person could imagine. 2. This menschsein brings my topic, Bernstein's thinking about democracy. He pragmatist, greatest his generation. means approached issues in, say, political or epistemology not from separate methodological standpoints. Rather, him all philosophical concepts ideas had explained reference human practice experience, they found their place comprehensive called “dialogical our existence” (Bernstein, 1983, p. xv). Democracy, perspective, simply form organizing life, it ethical way life. Yet democracy grounded more fundamentally still mode thought—or better: thought makes us human, again Aristotelianism formulation mistake. metaphysical foundationalist, tried liberate “Cartesian anxieties,” but firmly believed potential telos humans, all, seekers understanding. In eyes, practices, those pursuing knowledge, social cooperation production (including art), finding common opinion will, understood practices phronesis, communal endeavors organize individual collective lives through mutual course rational understanding, taking rationality capacity constructing reality dialogue. am interested core idea his, believe there are treasures call signature rationalism. One lot its anti-Cartesian non-Kantian character, rationalism is, any proper view must. 3. topics praxis phronesis occupied throughout career, early books Praxis Action (1971) Restructuring Social Political Theory (1976) attest. finest lasting achievements book Beyond Objectivism Relativism (1983) we at time. steers between rival views uniting them share unrivaled. argues (with Gadamer) “the type judgment reasoning exhibited understanding” 40), Habermas) adds “radical strain” stresses “principle freedom embraces humanity” 188). continues argue both Gadamer principle unconstrained dialogue communication arbitrary ideal norm ‘choose’; very linguistic intersubjectivity” 190f.). shared Habermasian non-transcendental, though rather strong, held onto “telos directs overcoming systematically distorted communication” 195). considered all-encompassing, egalitarian commitment conversation “vital project” 206), stressing “type wooing take when individuals confront each other equals participants” 223) central outlook. 4. consider because he, pragmatist mode, preferred belief undistorted “faith” transcendental truth reason. There many reasons having do non-foundationalism, reason intended stress practical faith. As argued Relativism, should seduced “into forces work contemporary society so powerful devious possibility achieving communication, dialogue, judgment, persuasion” 227f.). Like Dewey, explains Philosophical Profiles, emphasized rational(ist) (and hope) beings achieve such communicative practice, short: “reflective faith intelligent deliberation, action if conditions furnished” 1986, 261). highly important, especially comes education institutions public But faith” referred here firm conviction onto, implying asocial order world destroy bears comparison Kantian reasonable Anlage (disposition) toward good. see version here, would necessarily nevertheless holds nature emphasizes something characteristic there, transcends actuality history. might goes too far only like explain Dick's constant “refusal submit despair” 272), says Dewey (describing too). That why believes, quoting “democracy ‘is community itself’” 264), which humans live humane participate democratic cites Dewey's text “Creative Democracy” 1951 approvingly: “For every fails limits contacts, exchanges, communications, interactions experience steadied enlarged enriched” 262). Only unleashes potentials full We find strong ethical-political works, too. (1991), claim ‘stubbornly transcending power’” 1991, 52), say: “A avenging energeia basis—perhaps honest basis—for hope” 53). Pragmatic Turn (2010), similarly dimension life: “When normative significance distinctive sociality fully developed, leads life” 2010, 72). Note implies—namely equal moral epistemic capacities everyone. Democratic unconditional (I tempted say) “mutual respect” 2005, 30) owed being agent justification (what call) right justification: “Our passionate just causes strengthened deepened prepared justify appeal evidence subject open, public, critical discussion. essential cherishes freedom” 67). view, respect implies reason-giving reason-deserving remnant past imperatives; belongs 5. Given kind hope faith, question evil obviously addressed, mainly Hannah Arendt. context back “transcending” expressed Abuse Evil 2005), squaring circle explaining categorical ethos pragmatic fallibilism. pragmatists, “philosophical speculation concrete historical context,” also arguing “philosophy must rethought light new problems conflicts emerge” contexts. italics: “But vital enduring emerged” 50). Peirce, James, “once quest certainty exposed,” going back. were wrong,” responds (in italics again): Regression danger real possibility, hence “institute fallibilistic living people's everyday requires persistence, under threat” 51). appeals two components—first, present, often suppressed, sociality, second, imperative hold even especially) realization difficult: context-transcending imperative. pragmatism. 6. So is—someone who, hour dark, does despair know better. Once understand structure vividly last sentences 124), philosophy. that, who did powers reason, democracy; embodied it. Open access funding enabled organized Projekt DEAL. Rainer Forst Professor Philosophy Director Normative Orders Research Center Goethe University Frankfurt. translation recent Die noumenale Republik (Suhrkamp, 2021) forthcoming Polity Press.