Single Idea 18628

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 4. Social Utilitarianism]

Full Idea

Equality should enter into the very formation of our preferences. ....Prejudiced and selfish preferences should be excluded from the start, for they already reflect a failure to show equal consideration.

Gist of Idea

We shouldn't endorse preferences which reject equality, and show prejudice and selfishness

Source

Will Kymlicka (Contemporary Political Philosophy (1st edn) [1990], 2.5.b)

Book Reference

Kymlicka,Will: 'Contemporary Political Philosophy (1st edn)' [OUP 1992], p.42


A Reaction

This is meant to block utilitarian summing of preferences like racism, but it feels like a rather desperate attempt to get righteous liberal values in at the beginning, where they can't be questioned. How can you justify equal respect and treatment?