Bates College Journal of Political Studies
Abstract
This paper examines the application of external world moral skepticism to contemporary political discourse and decision-making processes. Drawing from epistemological traditions that question our ability to access moral truths about the external world, I argue that a pervasive form of moral skepticism has infiltrated modern political rhetoric, creating a crisis of justification for political action. Through discursive analysis of political communication across partisan divides, I demonstrate how skeptical attitudes toward external moral facts have transformed from philosophical positions to rhetorical strategies that undermine democratic deliberation. This transformation has significant implications for how political actors justify policies, how citizens evaluate political claims, and ultimately how democratic societies make collective decisions. I conclude by proposing a pragmatic framework for political discourse that acknowledges the challenges posed by moral skepticism while preserving the normative foundations necessary for democratic governance.
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Recommended Citation
Ghosh, Aanya
(2025)
"Skepticism Beyond Knowledge: External World Moral Skepticism and the Crisis of Political Rhetoric,"
Bates College Journal of Political Studies: Vol. 1:
Iss.
1, Article 2.
Available at:
https://scarab.bates.edu/bjps/vol1/iss1/2