OldWAL LWAdOU * ASSITVL “A LYAAOU Riri) rINC@ LO (G(s mua AOVUDOWAC WSLLVWOVUd YOOH AANAIS sABssyy ae lAPublished 2002 by Prometheus Books ‘Sidney Hook om Pragmatism, Democracy, and Preedom: The Essential Essays. Copyright © 2002 by Robert B. Talisse and Robert Tempio. All rights reserved. \No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, digital, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or ocherwise, or conveyed via the Internet or a Web site ‘without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quo- tations embodied in eritical artiles and reviews. Inquiries should be addressed to Prometheus Books 59 John Glenn Drive Amberst, New York 14228-2197 15-691-0133, ext. 207 FAX: 716-564-2711 \WAWW.PROMETHEUSBOOKS.COM 040302 $4321 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publieation Data Hook, Sidney, 1902- ‘Sidiiey Hook on pragmatism, democracy, and freedom : the essential essays / edited by Robert B. Talisse and Robert Tempio; foreword by Alan Ryan, p. om, Includes bibliographical references ISBN 1-89102-022-0 (alk. paper) 1, Political scienee—Philosophy. 2. Pragmatism. 3, Naturalism. 4. Communism, 5, Democracy. 6. Liberty. I. Talisse, Robert B. Il. Tempio, Robert, 1975 Ill Tide, JO2S1 66 2002 3201.01--do21 2002031827 Printed in Canada on oid-free paper Tod13 THE ETHICS OF CONTROVERSY .cratic society eannot exist without free discussion. One of its ¢ assumptions is that truth of fact and wisdom of policy can adily achieved through the lively interchange of ideas and an by unchallengeable edicts on the part of a self-perpetuating her of theologians or philosophers or politicians or even scl: hout history, controversy and spirited differences 1¢ deliberations of communities of free men. Their sooled judgments, expressed in public decisions, always reflect the eriti sm of healthy opposition But if democratic society cannot exist without free discussion, some sinds of discussion tend to undermine democratic society. Political life ourse, i8 not a game; yet, it has certain implicit ground rules which 1 be observed if freely delegated government by majority is not to erate into the tyranny of the mob, or the dictatorship of faction, In a demoeratie society, what is morally p ble and impermls le in public controversy follows from the commitment to permit all ctional, class, and individual interests to express themselves openly sed honestly before reaching a consensus of agreement on measures that seek to further the common welfare As natural creatures, men have needs and interests whose specific form depends upon the times and society in which they live. Conflicts of interest Reprinted with permission from The New Leader of February 1, 1954