On Truth, Society and the World

Abstract

The victory of liberalism did not mark the end of history, nor did it extinguish any hope that there was an alternative. What has become extremely visible as a result of this failure is the nightmare of intertwined short-term interests and imperatives within which the search for human well-being does not find its place. Transition countries have entered the democratic world at a time of growing scepticism about the values of democracy, declining trust in institutions, and the global popularity of authoritarian leaders. Understanding that the idea of (political) truth is linked to pluralism and political judgments, we accept that there is no single truth from a single centre of power. For the effective functioning of democracy and the prosperity of society, democracy requires citizens to speak the truth to their political elites. Who should question, deliberate, speak, write and demand a public debate about the future of Human and the world? How to stimulate public debate on the real achievements of public policies in a society that does not promote accountability, does not respect the epistemic infrastructure necessary for the progress of democra-cy? Can intellectuals try again to save European society? It should not be only individual mission.