This commentary on the target article by Williams (2006) provides a comparative analysis of questions concerning systems of interpretation and their relationship to transformative action. By locating Williams’ analysis as a communitarian approach, it is argued that both reasoning and individuality offers a more cultural self-determining stance. Moreover, with presuppositions of equality and agreement, it is also argued that in being applied to two-world environments it is responsive to concerns of well-being. Yet, insofar as it is able to constitute cultural identity and structural transformation, this commentary questions to what extent such an approach is able to displace discursivity and epistemological normalisation.