Problems of Discourse Theory

Abstract

There are three groups of problems in discourse theory. The first group concerns the status of discourse theory as a theory of truth. The second group enquires into the practical applicability of discourse theory. The third group takes up the justification of discourse theory. The first two problems, namely the status and the applicability problems, are discussed in this chapter. The result is that the distinction between ideal discourse and real discourse provides an answer to the main questions. For the ideal discourse the idea of absolute procedural correctness is constitutive. The real procedural correctness plays its most important role as far as real discourses are concerned.