Epistemic Liberalism A Defence Routledge Innovations in Political Theory Series

In the wake of what has come to be called the ?cultural turn?, it is often asked how the state should respond to the different and sometimes conflicting justice claims made by its citizens and what, ultimately, is the purpose of justice in culturally diverse societies.

Building upon the work of a diversity of theorists, this book demonstrates that there is a distinct ?epistemic? tradition of liberalism that can be used to critique contemporary responses to cultural diversity and their underlying principles of justice. It critically examines multicultural, nationalist and liberal egalitarian approaches and argues that an epistemic account of liberalism, that emphasises social complexity rather than cultural diversity or homogeneity, is the most appropriate response to the question of justice in modern culturally diverse societies.

Epistemic Liberalism will be of interest to students and scholars of contemporary political theory and philosophy, liberal political theory and the politics of culture and identity.

Introduction Part I: The Knowledge Problem Revisited 1 Hayek and the Knowledge Problem 2 Justice and Complex Adaptation Part II: Justice and the Arbitration of Cultural Practice 3 Difference, Democracy and the Politics of Inclusion 4 The Politics of National Identity 5 Complex Adaptation and the Culture of Welfare Part III: Epistemic Liberalism 6 The Permissive Society 7 Why Permit Permissiveness?

Adam Tebble is Lecturer in Political Theory at King’s College London.