more on this theme
|
more from this text
Single Idea 18627
[filed under theme 23. Ethics / E. Utilitarianism / 1. Utilitarianism
]
Full Idea
The second main argument for utilitarianism defines the right in terms of maximising the good, which leads to the utilitarian aggregation standard, which as a mere consequence treats people's interests equally.
Gist of Idea
A second view says start with maximising the good, implying aggregation, and hence equality
Source
Will Kymlicka (Contemporary Political Philosophy (1st edn) [1990], 2.4.b)
Book Ref
Kymlicka,Will: 'Contemporary Political Philosophy (1st edn)' [OUP 1992], p.33
A Reaction
This takes maximum good as a primitive, and arrives at equality as the way to achieve it. So which is more morally fundamental, a maximum of goodness, or human equality? Kymlicka says this idea is too impersonal.
Related Idea
Idea 18626
One view says start with equality, and infer equal weight to interests, and hence maximum utility [Kymlicka]
The
61 ideas
from Will Kymlicka
23413
|
Feminism has shown that social roles are far from fixed (as communitarians tend to see them)
[Kymlicka]
|
23410
|
Modern liberals see a community as simply a society which respects freedom and equality
[Kymlicka]
|
23409
|
Community can focus on class or citizenship or ethnicity or culture
[Kymlicka]
|
23411
|
Communitarians see justice as primarily a community matter, rather than a principle
[Kymlicka]
|
23419
|
Communitarianism struggles with excluded marginalised groups
[Kymlicka]
|
23418
|
Liberal state legitimacy is based on a belief in justice, not in some conception of the good life
[Kymlicka]
|
23412
|
Justice resolves conflicts, but may also provoke them
[Kymlicka]
|
23415
|
Participation aids the quest for the good life, but why should that be a state activity?
[Kymlicka]
|
23414
|
Liberals say state intervention in culture restricts people's autonomy
[Kymlicka]
|
18623
|
The quest of the general good is partly undermined by people's past entitlements
[Kymlicka]
|
18624
|
Utilitarianism is not a decision-procedure; choice of the best procedure is an open question
[Kymlicka]
|
18626
|
One view says start with equality, and infer equal weight to interests, and hence maximum utility
[Kymlicka]
|
18650
|
Teleological theories give the good priority over concern for people
[Kymlicka]
|
18651
|
The most valuable liberties to us need not be the ones with the most freedom
[Kymlicka]
|
18652
|
The Lockean view of freedom depends on whether you had a right to what is restricted
[Kymlicka]
|
18627
|
A second view says start with maximising the good, implying aggregation, and hence equality
[Kymlicka]
|
18625
|
To maximise utility should we double the population, even if life somewhat deteriorates?
[Kymlicka]
|
18628
|
We shouldn't endorse preferences which reject equality, and show prejudice and selfishness
[Kymlicka]
|
18630
|
Utilitarianism is no longer a distinctive political position
[Kymlicka]
|
18629
|
Using utilitarian principles to make decisions encourages cold detachment from people
[Kymlicka]
|
18632
|
Liberalism tends to give priority to basic liberties
[Kymlicka]
|
18633
|
Equal opportunities seems fair, because your fate is from your choices, not your circumstances
[Kymlicka]
|
18634
|
Equal opportunity arbitrarily worries about social circumstances, but ignores talents
[Kymlicka]
|
18637
|
Utilitarianism is irrational if it tells you to trade in your rights and resources just for benefits
[Kymlicka]
|
18635
|
Social contract theories are usually rejected because there never was such a contract
[Kymlicka]
|
18638
|
The difference principles says we must subsidise the costs of other people's choices
[Kymlicka]
|
18640
|
Libertarians like the free market, but they also think that the free market is just
[Kymlicka]
|
18649
|
If everyone owned himself, that would prevent slavery
[Kymlicka]
|
18654
|
Marxists say justice is unneeded in the truly good community
[Kymlicka]
|
18655
|
Justice corrects social faults, but also expresses respect to individuals as ends
[Kymlicka]
|
18656
|
Marxists say liberalism is unjust, because it allows exploitation in the sale of labour
[Kymlicka]
|
18657
|
Communitarian states only encourage fairly orthodox ideas of the good life
[Kymlicka]
|
18659
|
The 'Kantian' view of the self misses the way it is embedded or situated in society
[Kymlicka]
|
18658
|
The 'Kantian' self steps back from commitment to its social situation
[Kymlicka]
|
18660
|
Communitarians say we should pay more attention to our history
[Kymlicka]
|
18661
|
Ancient freedom was free participation in politics, not private independence of life
[Kymlicka]
|
18663
|
Modern liberalism has added personal privacy to our personal social lives
[Kymlicka]
|
18664
|
Maybe the particularist moral thought of women is better than the impartial public thinking of men
[Kymlicka]
|
23369
|
Some liberals thinks checks and balances are enough, without virtuous citizens
[Kymlicka]
|
23370
|
Good citizens need civic virtues of loyalty, independence, diligence, respect, etc.
[Kymlicka]
|
23373
|
Liberals accept that people need society, but Aristotelians must show that they need political activity
[Kymlicka]
|
23375
|
Minimal liberal citizenship needs common civility, as well as mere non-interference
[Kymlicka]
|
23376
|
Modern non-discrimination obliges modern citizens to treat each other as equals
[Kymlicka]
|
23377
|
The right wing sees citizenship in terms of responsibility to earn a living, rather than rights
[Kymlicka]
|
23374
|
We have become attached to private life because that has become greatly enriched
[Kymlicka]
|
23371
|
Modern democratic theory focuses on talk, not votes, because we need consensus or compromise
[Kymlicka]
|
23380
|
Some individuals can gain citizenship as part of a group, rather than as mere individuals
[Kymlicka]
|
23381
|
The status hierarchy is independent of the economic hierarchy
[Kymlicka]
|
23379
|
Rights are a part of nation-building, to build a common national identity and culture
[Kymlicka]
|
23382
|
Rights derived from group membership are opposed to the idea of state citizenship
[Kymlicka]
|
23378
|
The welfare state helps to integrate the working classes into a national culture
[Kymlicka]
|
23383
|
Some multiculturalists defended the rights of cohesive minorities against liberal individualism
[Kymlicka]
|
23384
|
'Culturalist' liberals say that even liberal individuals may need minority rights
[Kymlicka]
|
23385
|
Multiculturalism may entail men dominating women in minority groups
[Kymlicka]
|
23386
|
Liberals must prefer minority right which are freedoms, not restrictions
[Kymlicka]
|
23387
|
Liberals must avoid an official culture, as well as an official religion
[Kymlicka]
|
23388
|
Liberals need more than freedom; they must build a nation, through a language and institutions
[Kymlicka]
|
23389
|
Why shouldn't national minorities have their own right to nation-build?
[Kymlicka]
|
23390
|
In a liberal democracy all subjects of authority have a right to determine the authority
[Kymlicka]
|
23391
|
Multiculturalism is liberal if it challenges inequality, conservative if it emphasises common good
[Kymlicka]
|
22818
|
Liberals are not too individualistic, because people recognise and value social relations
[Kymlicka]
|