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Ideas for 'The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics', 'comedies (frags)' and 'A Theory of Justice'

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4 ideas

23. Ethics / B. Contract Ethics / 1. Contractarianism
Hands wash hands; give that you may get [Epicharmus]
     Full Idea: The hand washes the hand; give something and you may get something.
     From: Epicharmus (comedies (frags) [c.470 BCE], B30), quoted by (who?) - where?
A fair arrangement is one that parties can agree to without knowing how it will benefit them personally [Rawls, by Williams,B]
     Full Idea: Rawls's theory is an elaboration of a simple idea: a fair system of arrangements is one that the parties can agree to without knowing how it will benefit them personally.
     From: report of John Rawls (A Theory of Justice [1972]) by Bernard Williams - Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy Ch.5
     A reaction: The essence of modern Kantian contractualism. It is an appealing principle for building a rational world, but I hear Nietzsche turning in his grave.
23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / c. Justice
Against a villain, villainy is not a useless weapon [Epicharmus]
     Full Idea: Against a villain, villainy is not a useless weapon.
     From: Epicharmus (comedies (frags) [c.470 BCE], B32), quoted by (who?) - where?
23. Ethics / E. Utilitarianism / 1. Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism inappropriately scales up the individual willingness to make sacrifices [Rawls, by Nagel]
     Full Idea: Rawls claims that utilitarianism applies to the problem of many interests a method appropriate for one individual. A single person may accept disadvantages in exchange for benefits, but in society other people get the benefits.
     From: report of John Rawls (A Theory of Justice [1972], p.74,104) by Thomas Nagel - Equality §7