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Single Idea 22406
[filed under theme 23. Ethics / E. Utilitarianism / 4. Unfairness
]
Full Idea
Rawls has suggested that we should maximise the general happiness only if we do so in a fair way.
Gist of Idea
The maximisation of happiness must be done fairly
Source
report of John Rawls (Justice as fairness: Political not Metaphysical [1958]) by J.J.C. Smart - Outline of a System of Utilitarianism 6
Book Ref
Smart,J./Williams,B.: 'Utilitarianism For and Against' [CUP 1978], p.37
A Reaction
Rawls is usually seen as an opponent of utilitarianism, but if we allow a few supplementary rules we can improve the theory. After all, it has a meta-rule that 'everybody counts as one'. What other supplementary values can there be? Honesty?
The
19 ideas
from John Rawls
22406
|
The maximisation of happiness must be done fairly
[Rawls, by Smart]
|
21137
|
Rawls rejected cosmopolitanism because it doesn't respect the autonomy of 'peoples'
[Rawls, by Shorten]
|
23420
|
In a pluralist society we can't expect a community united around one conception of the good
[Rawls]
|
21119
|
Power is only legitimate if it is reasonable for free equal citizens to endorse the constitution
[Rawls]
|
21051
|
Check your rationality by thinking of your opinion pronounced by the supreme court
[Rawls]
|
15676
|
Rawls defends the priority of right over good
[Rawls, by Finlayson]
|
4123
|
A fair arrangement is one that parties can agree to without knowing how it will benefit them personally
[Rawls, by Williams,B]
|
3280
|
Why does the rational agreement of the 'Original Position' in Rawls make it right?
[Nagel on Rawls]
|
20552
|
The original position models the idea that citizens start as free and equal
[Rawls, by Swift]
|
20538
|
Utilitarians lump persons together; Rawls somewhat separates them; Nozick wholly separates them
[Swift on Rawls]
|
9277
|
Rawls's account of justice relies on conventional fairness, avoiding all moral controversy
[Gray on Rawls]
|
21018
|
The social contract has problems with future generations, national boundaries, disabilities and animals
[Rawls, by Nussbaum]
|
18636
|
Choose justice principles in ignorance of your own social situation
[Rawls]
|
18631
|
All desirable social features should be equal, unless inequality favours the disadvantaged
[Rawls]
|
21041
|
Justice concerns not natural distributions, or our born location, but what we do about them
[Rawls]
|
20527
|
Liberty Principle: everyone has an equal right to liberties, if compatible with others' liberties
[Rawls]
|
23110
|
Human injustice is not a permanent feature of communities
[Rawls]
|
23583
|
If an aggression is unjust, the constraints on how it is fought are much stricter
[Rawls]
|
3279
|
Utilitarianism inappropriately scales up the individual willingness to make sacrifices
[Rawls, by Nagel]
|