A Democratic Theory of Truth - by Linda M G Zerilli (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Although many phrases are invoked to describe the precarity of democracy today, perhaps none resonates more than "post-truth." The rapid rise of disinformation, conspiracy theories, and the loss of confidence in the possibility of impartial evidence has led to a situation in which highly partisan opinions threaten to devolve into a state where no one believes anything anymore. In the face of this danger, it seems imperative to affirm the existence of objective Truth. However, falling prey to the ideal of Truth is as dangerous for democracy as being truth denialists. In this book, political theorist Linda M. G. Zerilli considers what happens when we take seriously the Socratic idea that there is truth in opinion. Drawing on the work of Arendt, Foucault, and Wittgenstein, A Democratic Theory of Truth critically interrogates the concept of truth presupposed in the "post-truth" debate. Whatever their disagreements, the critical literature on post-truth sees in the ongoing hemorrhaging of objective facts to subjective opinion a genuinely new threat to democracy. In Zerilli's reading, the part played by citizen subjects in determining the existence or value of truth is given in the structure of truth itself. This book restores the rightful place of plurality, dissent, and citizen opinion in the democratic debate about truth and truthfulness today"--

Book Synopsis

A critique of the concept of truth presupposed by the post-truth debate--and a bold new vision for a more pluralistic citizenry.

We say that we live in a "post-truth" era because disinformation threatens our confidence in the existence of a shared public world. Affirming objective truth may, therefore, seem necessary to save democracy. According to political theorist Linda M. G. Zerilli, such affirmation can stifle political debate and silence dissent. In fact, Zerilli argues that the unqualified insistence on objective truth is as dangerous for democracy as denying it.

Drawing on Arendt, Foucault, and Wittgenstein, A Democratic Theory of Truth challenges the concept of truth presupposed by the post-truth debate. It argues that we, the people, have an essential role in discovering and evaluating any truth relevant to the political realm. The result is a striking defense of plurality, dissent, and opinion in contemporary democratic societies.

Review Quotes

"A Democratic Theory of Truth is a powerful work that reconceptualizes truth and realism in terms of ordinary language and citizenship. Zerilli's radical and illuminating use of ordinary language philosophy mobilizes Ludwig Wittgenstein, Cora Diamond, and Stanley Cavell to defend a realistic orientation to the world that allows us to face reality--the most difficult but perhaps the only way now to defend truth and democracy."--Sandra Laugier, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

"Democracy demands commitment to truth. But what if the most obvious threats to truth today, from cynical demagogues to AI chatbots, were actually nourished by a dangerous overestimation of what truth can do for politics? In this lucid, sober, and timely book, Zerilli combines acute political intelligence and theoretical sophistication to present a powerfully restrained account of truth as a value within rather than above the irreducibly plural field of political opinion."--Patchen Markell, Cornell University

"In this groundbreaking book, Zerilli offers a much-needed reassessment of the 'post-truth' debate, criticizing both truth denialists and apologists of objective truths. Brilliantly drawing from Arendt, Foucault, and Wittgenstein, she shows that the value and force of truth depend on us, democratic citizens. With exceptional clarity, this masterful work reshapes our way of thinking about the relationships between truth and democracy. A must-read."--Daniele Lorenzini, University of Pennsylvania

About the Author

Linda M. G. Zerilli is the Charles E. Merriam Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science and professor of gender and sexuality studies at the University of Chicago. She is the author of three books, including A Democratic Theory of Judgment, also published by the University of Chicago Press.