Abstract
In this paper we suggest that agents engage in life history dialogue prior to discourse as a way of enhancing mutual understanding and overcoming impediments to genuine consensus. We furthermore claim that life history dialogue fits well with Habermas’ concern regarding the hegemony of technical rationality. Habermas asserts that norms and normative institutional arrangements are just or valid if and only if they represent genuine consensus arrived at in discourse under ideal speech conditions. A requirement of genuine consensus is that discourse participants understand each other and have a shared understanding of normative terms. Three impediments to understanding threaten genuine consensus. We propose that encouraging participants to engage in life history dialogue prior to discourse will diminish these impediments. As a form of hermeneutic dialogue, life history dialogue serves as a model for how we come to understand ourselves, know each other, and may serve as a forum for cultivating understanding.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
