The Biotechnology Debate

Democracy in the Face of Intractable Disagreement

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Ethics & Moral Philosophy, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
Cover of the book The Biotechnology Debate by Bernice Bovenkerk, Springer Netherlands
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Bernice Bovenkerk ISBN: 9789400726918
Publisher: Springer Netherlands Publication: January 4, 2012
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: Bernice Bovenkerk
ISBN: 9789400726918
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication: January 4, 2012
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

This book grounds deliberative democratic theory in a more refined understanding of deliberative practice, in particular when dealing with intractable moral disagreement regarding novel technologies. While there is an ongoing, vibrant debate about the theoretical merits of deliberative democracy on the one hand, and more recently, empirical studies of specific deliberative exercises have been carried out, these two discussions fail to speak to one another.

Debates about animal and plant biotechnology are examined as a paradigmatic case for intractable disagreement in today’s pluralistic societies. This examination reveals that the disagreements in this debate are multi-faceted and multi-dimensional and can often be traced to fundamental disagreements about values or worldviews.

“One of the acute insights to emerge from this examination is that deliberation can serve different purposes vis-à-vis different types of problem.  In the case of deeply unstructured problems, like the modern biotechnology debate, the aim of inclusion is more appropriate than the aim of consensus. This book highlights the importance of political culture and broader institutional settings in shaping the capacity and propensity of citizens to engage in deliberation and the degree to which governments are prepared to relinquish authority to deliberative mini-publics."

Robyn Eckersley, University of Melbourne, Australia

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book grounds deliberative democratic theory in a more refined understanding of deliberative practice, in particular when dealing with intractable moral disagreement regarding novel technologies. While there is an ongoing, vibrant debate about the theoretical merits of deliberative democracy on the one hand, and more recently, empirical studies of specific deliberative exercises have been carried out, these two discussions fail to speak to one another.

Debates about animal and plant biotechnology are examined as a paradigmatic case for intractable disagreement in today’s pluralistic societies. This examination reveals that the disagreements in this debate are multi-faceted and multi-dimensional and can often be traced to fundamental disagreements about values or worldviews.

“One of the acute insights to emerge from this examination is that deliberation can serve different purposes vis-à-vis different types of problem.  In the case of deeply unstructured problems, like the modern biotechnology debate, the aim of inclusion is more appropriate than the aim of consensus. This book highlights the importance of political culture and broader institutional settings in shaping the capacity and propensity of citizens to engage in deliberation and the degree to which governments are prepared to relinquish authority to deliberative mini-publics."

Robyn Eckersley, University of Melbourne, Australia

More books from Springer Netherlands

Cover of the book The Assimilation of German Expellees into the West German Polity and Society Since 1945 by Bernice Bovenkerk
Cover of the book The Grammar of French Quantification by Bernice Bovenkerk
Cover of the book The Threads of Natural Law by Bernice Bovenkerk
Cover of the book Neotropical Insect Galls by Bernice Bovenkerk
Cover of the book Fishing, Foraging and Farming in the Bolivian Amazon by Bernice Bovenkerk
Cover of the book Transformations Through Space and Time by Bernice Bovenkerk
Cover of the book Atlas of the Newborn by Bernice Bovenkerk
Cover of the book Philosophy and Technology II by Bernice Bovenkerk
Cover of the book The Dialectic Relation Between Physics and Mathematics in the XIXth Century by Bernice Bovenkerk
Cover of the book The Optional Society by Bernice Bovenkerk
Cover of the book Principals in Succession by Bernice Bovenkerk
Cover of the book Mineral Resources a World Review by Bernice Bovenkerk
Cover of the book The Law of Causality and Its Limits by Bernice Bovenkerk
Cover of the book Quality-of-Life Community Indicators for Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management by Bernice Bovenkerk
Cover of the book The Transantarctic Mountains by Bernice Bovenkerk
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy