Abstract
We often feel compelled to argue with those who disagree with us politically. To do so is to offer reasons in the hopes that one's target will change their views. As these exchanges are rarely sought by their targets, political disagreement throws a tension between argument and epistemic autonomy into sharp relief. Views on the value of epistemic autonomy vary. On the one hand, it seems like an important political, moral, and even epistemic good. On the other hand, some understandings of autonomy seem to conflict with our argumentative and inquiry practices. Further, overvaluing epistemic autonomy threatens to occlude our interdependence or even make us worse community members. In this chapter, I will review this variety of positions on the value of epistemic autonomy, especially with regard to its relationship to political disagreement.