Christopher Lasch has an interesting point of view on literacy as it relates to democracy and modern society. Lasch claims the key to a successful democracy and political system is “public debate, not information,” (Lasch). He goes on to defend this position by stating that only relevant information can be obtained from this kind of public debate. In other words, pertinent information can only be found if the correct questions are asked through the debating process, which in Lasch’s eyes has declined rapidly over the years. Lasch disagrees with the popular notion that information fuels debate and purposes it is more influenced and better described by the latter.
Lasch does have a valid point that during certain kinds of “intelligent public debates” important questions do arise and give people a direction in which to look for related information. However, where I believe his argument is flawed is in his idea that all information relating to democracy comes from public debate and not prior research. I would argue in order to have an intelligent debate; one that produces relevant questions, those participants must be equipped with some sort of related data, facts stats etc. in order to engage in a meaningful conversation. For example, two people debating about the death penalty will most likely not generate any applicable questions when both parties know nothing about the issue and point behind it. The conversation will move around in a circle and the kind of meaningful information that Lasch hopes to get out of questions posed in the debate will not be present.
I do agree that in debates where both parties do have some prior knowledge about the issue, questions can be posed that provide a guide for further research and increased public knowledge. This in affect will help to create a more educated and informed society. Thus for Lasch’s idea on literacy and democracy to work, intelligent and meaningful debate must occur first and not second.
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