Question In political debate, I often feel that participants on both sides are "unprincipled" or "unscrupulous" - they deliberately downplay inconvenient facts and exaggerate other facts in order to promote their positions. I understand that politicians represent the interests of their constituents much as lawyers advocate for their clients. But are there any philosophical writings that at least encourage citizens to elevate their own level of political discourse so that it more resembles a search for truth as opposed to a clash of opposing interests?

Accepted:

August 24, 2010