Completing Public Reason by Reasoning Publicly

Abstract

This is the substantially revised version of a previously posted draft essay in which I revisit my earlier argument to the effect that contrary to Rawls's own characterization public reason incomplete with respect to an important range of political status questions that concern constitutional essentials or basic justice. I clarify and expand on my 1999 argument and, with James Boettcher, endorse a revised conception of public reason cut free of Rawls's idea that reasonable political liberalisms must be complete but still rooted in the value of reciprocity and a commitment to the goods of stability of the right sort, democratic self-governance, and civic friendship.