Scandal of Reason: A Critical Theory of Political Judgment

Albena Azmanova's critical consensus model of judgment resolves the paradox of ambitious theories of justice by focusing on the dynamics of reasoned judgment in democratic practices. It combines insights from critical theory, philosophical liberalism, and political epistemology to demonstrate the emancipatory potential of the model and its capacity to guide policy-making. By grounding the question of justice in the empirical reality of who suffers, Azmanova seeks to discern attainable possibilities for a less unjust world.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 296 pages
\n Publication date: 29 June 2021
\n Publisher: Columbia University Press
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Theories of justice face a perplexing paradox: as they become more ambitious in their pursuit of justice, their practicality and usefulness in political practice diminish. Conversely, when theories strive to be more politically realistic, their moral aspirations weaken, rendering them unsound and practically useless. In her groundbreaking work, Albena Azmanova presents a critical consensus model of judgment that seeks to bridge this paradox.

Tracing the evolution of two major traditions in political philosophy—critical theory and philosophical liberalism—Azmanova delves into the ways they confront the judgment paradox. She critiques prevailing models of deliberative democracy, which prioritize ideal theory over political applicability. Instead, she proposes a shift away from normative models and towards an account of the dynamics of reasoned judgment that emerges from democratic practices of open dialogues.

Drawing upon the insights of Hannah Arendt's study of judgment and Pierre Bourdieu's social critique of power relations, Azmanova integrates elements of political epistemology from Kant, Wittgenstein, H. L. A. Hart, Max Weber, and American philosophical pragmatism into her model. Her central inquiry revolves around how participants in moral conflicts attribute meaning to their grievances of injustice. Through meticulous analysis, she demonstrates the emancipatory potential of the critical deliberative judgment model she forges and its ability to guide policy-making.

One of the remarkable strengths of this model lies in its capacity to unveil the common structural sources of injustice that underlie conflicting claims to justice. By moving beyond the binary of universalist and pluralist positions, Azmanova grounds the question of what is justice in the empirical reality of who suffers? This approach enables her to discern attainable solutions to complex moral dilemmas.

In conclusion, Albena Azmanova's critical consensus model of judgment offers a transformative perspective on theories of justice. By bridging the gap between ideal theory and political applicability, it provides a robust framework for addressing the challenges of moral conflicts and promoting a more just society. Through its emphasis on reasoned judgment, empirical reality, and the pursuit of attainable solutions, this model offers a valuable contribution to the ongoing dialogue on justice and its implications for political practice.

\n Weight: 436g\n
Dimension: 153 x 226 x 22 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780231153812\n \n