Truthfulness as a democratic virtue

Abstract

It's a commonplace that we ought to be truthful people. This chapter takes some steps to explaining why that's so. Instead of focusing on value inherent to believing the truth or being sincere in one's assertions, it develops an account of "Truthfulness" as a democratic virtue. To be truthful is, roughly, to want, to an appropriate degree, what is true to be believed and what is believed to be true. Democratic virtues are traits that promote the flourishing of democratic societies as democratic societies. I argue that Truthfulness is such a virtue on several grounds. It promotes epistemic justice, as well as the trust among citizens that democracies need. It also helps to guard against populism and polarization, each of which is a self-destructive force in democratic societies.