This work offers a close examination and critique of the notions of pluralism and consensus as these concepts are developed in the work of John Rawls. Focusing in particular on Rawls's Political Liberalism and later writings, the dissertation argues that although Rawls does seek to take account of the diversity of beliefs and worldviews present in society, his model assumes a particular perspective on this diversity, stemming from larger and more controversial assumptions concerning the

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... and meaning of public discourse and political life. This assumption is made clear by reviewing Rawls's theory particularly with regard to the relationship between comprehensive views and political conceptions of justice, Rawls's arguments concerning human reason, and Rawls's views concerning public political culture. The implication drawn is that this is only one way we might consider these matters and that by posing the problem differently, we may be able to consider other, more constructive, approaches.