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Single Idea 20530

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 1. Ideology]

Full Idea

Political choices can be made by the utility principles (maximising total utility), or maximin (maximising for the worst off, a view for pessimists), or maximax (not serious, but one for optimists, being unequal, and aiming for a high maximum).

Gist of Idea

Political choice can be by utility, or maximin, or maximax

Source

Jonathan Wolff (An Introduction to Political Philosophy (Rev) [2006], 5 'Choosing')

A Reaction

[my summary of a page of Wolff] Rawls embodies the maximin view. Wolff implies that we must choose between utilitarianism and Rawls. Would Marxists endorse maximin? He also adds 'constrained maximisation', with a safety net.

Book Reference

Wolff,Jonathan: 'An Introduction to Political Philosophy (Rev)' [OUP 2006], p.162