Combining Texts

Ideas for 'The Human Condition', 'Utilitarianism' and 'Metaphysical conseqs of principle of reason'

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3 ideas

24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / c. A unified people
Society is alienating if it lacks our values, and its values repel us [Kekes]
     Full Idea: We feel estranged from our society if the values we prize are not available, and if we do not want to live by the available values.
     From: John Kekes (The Human Condition [2010], 04.4)
     A reaction: There are two pictures here, for a monolithic culture, and for pluralism. For example, the values of Islam are fairly available in the Christian/atheist UK - but not sharia law. Pluralism can embrace a huge array of moderate values, but not extremes?
24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 3. Natural Values / c. Natural rights
Rights are a matter of justice, not of benevolence [Mill]
     Full Idea: Wherever there is a right, the case is one of justice, and not of the virtue of benevolence.
     From: John Stuart Mill (Utilitarianism [1861], Ch.5)
No individual has the right to receive our benevolence [Mill]
     Full Idea: No one has a moral right to our generosity or beneficence, because we are not morally bound to practise those virtues towards any given individual.
     From: John Stuart Mill (Utilitarianism [1861], Ch.5)