MICHAEL A. PETERS’ DISCURSIVE UNIVERSALISM
MICHAEL A. PETERS’ DISCURSIVE UNIVERSALISM

Summary/Abstract: This essay discusses one aspect of Michael Peters’ diverse, rich and thoughtful engagement with political challenges in postmodern times. It argues that this aspect allows us to grasp what I term “a discursive universalism” that Michael not only employs but even consistently performs. It will be shown that Michael’s qualified endorsement of postmodern attacks on universalism does not preclude his endorsement and enactment of an inclusive, non-toxic universalism that takes into account and gives voice to all actual or potential participants in deliberative and philosophical endeavors. Thus, instead of constituting a performative contradiction, Michael’s universalism is a coherent, politically enabling and valuable position that has not yet received due attention and thematization in educational philosophy. Yet, precisely because of this neglect, the universalism that I associate with Michael’s work as an academic author and public intellectual has to be: (a) textually corroborated, unpacked and differentiated from his avowed commitment to pluralism; and (b) defended against standard associations of universalism with Eurocentrism.

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