Combining Philosophers

Ideas for H.Putnam/P.Oppenheim, Keith Campbell and Thomas Nagel

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2 ideas

24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 4. Original Position / c. Difference principle
An egalitarian system must give priority to those with the worst prospects in life [Nagel]
     Full Idea: What makes a system egalitarian is the priority it gives to the claims of those whose overall life prospects put them at the bottom.
     From: Thomas Nagel (Equality [1977], §6)
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / c. Liberal equality
A legitimate system is one accepted as both impartial and reasonably partial [Nagel]
     Full Idea: A legitimate system is one which reconciles the two universal principles of impartiality and reasonable partiality so that no one can object that his interests are not being accorded sufficient weight or that the demands on him are excessive.
     From: Thomas Nagel (Equality and Partiality [1991], Ch.4)
     A reaction: This seems an appealing principle, and a nice attempt at stating the core of Kantian liberalism. It is obviously influenced by Scanlon's contractualist view, in the idea that 'no one can object', because everyone sees the justification.