Single Idea 23110

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / e. Human nature]

Full Idea

Men's propensity to injustice is not a permanent aspect of community life.

Gist of Idea

Human injustice is not a permanent feature of communities

Source

John Rawls (A Theory of Justice [1972], p.245), quoted by John Kekes - Against Liberalism

Book Reference

Kekes,John: 'Against Liberalism' [Cornell 1997], p.150


A Reaction

This attitude is dismissed by Kekes, with some justification, as naïve optimism. What could be Rawls's grounds for making such a claim? It couldn't be the facts of human history.