Democratic Professionalism: Sharing Authority in Civic Life

Abstract

I am pleased to comment on Simon Thompson's paper, as I agree with much of what he has to say. With Thompson I also see the concept of recognition as providing very fertile ground for a theory of justice. I too would assign a priority to Honneth's more comprehensive account of justice. I also agree that there is a need to surmount some of the dichotomies that characterize the Fraser/Honneth debate, and that doing so can also enrich each position. And I share his interest in surmounting oppositions like the right and the good. Within the context of this underlying agreement, then, let me raise a few issues that may con- tribute to further discussion. First, I question Thompson's acceptance of the tripartite differentiations that character- izes Honneth's and Fraser's positions. Second, I raise a couple of questions regarding Thompson's effort to synthe- size the two positions. Third, I make some general comments about a topic he broaches at the end of his paper: the relationship of the right and the good.