Truth and Evidence: NOMOS LXIV

by Melissa Schwartzberg (Editor), Philip Kitcher (Editor)

Overview

Explores the challenges of governing in a post-truth world

The relationship between truth and politics has rarely seemed more troubled, with misinformation on the rise, and the value of expertise in democratic decision-making increasingly being dismissed. In Truth and Evidence, the latest installment in the NOMOS series, Melissa Schwartzberg and Philip Kitcher bring together a distinguished group of interdisciplinary scholars in political science, law, and philosophy to explore the most pressing questions about the role of truth, evidence, and knowledge in government.

In nine timely essays, contributors examine what constitutes political knowledge, who counts as an expert, how we should weigh evidence, and what can be done to address deep disinformation. Together, they address urgent questions such as what facts we require to confront challenges like COVID-19; what it means to #BelieveWomen; and how white supremacy shapes the law of evidence. Essential reading for our fraught political moment, Truth and Evidence considers the importance of truth in the face of widespread efforts to turn it into yet another tool of political power.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781479811595
Publisher:	New York University Press
Publication date:	11/30/2021
Series:	NOMOS - American Society for Political and Legal Philosophy , #36
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Melissa Schwartzberg (Editor)
Melissa Schwartzberg is Silver Professor of Politics at New York University. She is the author of Counting the Many: The Origins and Limits of Supermajority Rule and Democracy and Legal Change.

Philip Kitcher (Editor)
Philip Kitcher is the John Dewey Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, at Columbia University. He is the author of many books, including Science in a Democratic Society, and was awarded the Rescher Medal for contributions to systematic philosophy.

Table of Contents

Preface Melissa Schwartzberg ix

Contributors xi

Introduction Philip Kitcher Melissa Schwartzberg 1

Part I The Value of Truth for Democracy

1 Truth as a Democratic Value Michael Patrick Lynch 15

2 Response to Michael Patrick Lynch's "Truth as a Democratic Value" John Sides 35

3 Pursuit of Truth Is a Steep and Thorny, Uphill Battle Michael J. Saks 49

Part II Evidence and Testimonial Belief: What Does It Mean to #Believewomen?

4 #BelieveWomen and the Presumption of Innocence: Clarifying the Questions for Law and Life Kimberly Kessler Ferzan 65

5 #BelieveWomen and the Ethics of Belief Renée Jorgensen Bolinger 109

Part III Should We Speak Truth to Power?

6 Post-Truth Bernard E. Harcourt 147

7 Nothing Scoundrelous about Truth Cheryl Misak 176

8 Response to Bernard E. Harcourt's "Post-Truth" Jasmine B. Gonzales Rose 195

9 Democratic Lies and Fascist Lies Jason Stanley 209

Index 223