ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that democratic citizens are required to present public reasons when arguing with their fellows about political matters. This means that they must avoid presenting arguments that employ premises deriving from their own religious viewpoint. Our view of proper argument in a democratic society should appear rich and complex. Democracy is the social and political arrangement that enables us to pursue this cognitive goal. It is collective self-government by means of public argument among equal citizens. Argumentative responsibility manifests internally as a kind of intellectual patience and thoroughness. Argument is public when it is carried out in public and is about matters of public concern. Argument aims to resolve disagreement by providing at least one party to the dispute with reasons to change his or her mind. In order to accomplish this, arguments must present disputants with the reasons that they can recognize as reasons.
