Multicultural Conflicts - Between Autonomy and Paternalism

Multicultural conflicts - between autonomy and paternalism. Abstract This article argues that cultural norms that have become contested are no longer internal, and should therefore be open to discourse. The solving of multicultural conflicts requires autonomous agents. The freedom to be unique and different presupposes relationships of belonging to and dependence upon others. This implies a tension between freedom and constraint that occurs within the struggle for tolerance and respect in multicultural conflicts. The discourse-ethical idea of non-constrained communication and Charles Taylor's idea that intimacy presupposes dialogue are fundamental to the main argument. In my interpretation of discourse ethics the possibility of non-constrained "yes" or "no" is of vital importance. This implies an ideal of infinite dissent. It is argued that paternalism might be required in order to render possible a community of autonomous agents. On the one hand it is necessary to prevent heteronomous agreement; on the other it is equally important to promote autonomous disagreement.