Single Idea 6448

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 6. Liberalism / c. Liberal equality]

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.

Gist of Idea

A legitimate system is one accepted as both impartial and reasonably partial

Source

Thomas Nagel (Equality and Partiality [1991], Ch.4)

Book Reference

Nagel,Thomas: 'Equality and Partiality' [OUP 1995], p.38


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.