Final Exam Flashcards
Explain the point of Nozick’s Wilt Chamberlain example (962-3
No end-state principle or distributional patterned principle of justice can be continuously realized without continuous interference with people’s lives. Theories of justice based on patterns or historical circumstances are false.
Explain the difference between the concepts of tolerance and neutrality.
Tolerance is ..
Neutrality is ..
Explain Rawls’ notion of reflective equilibrium (921).
Rawls argues that human beings have a “sense of justice” which is both a source of moral judgment and moral motivation. If our judgments conflict in some way, we proceed by adjusting our various beliefs until they are in “equilibrium”, which is to say that they are stable, not in conflict, and provide consistent practical guidance. He argues that a set of moral beliefs in ideal reflective equilibrium describes or characterizes the underlying principles of the human sense of justice.
How does the question of tolerance challenge the case for liberal democracy?
Liberal thinkers sought to limit the coercive actions of government and the church. Argues that humans are fallible and should have epistemic modesty. Individual knows their interests best and requires tolerance by others to find best life.
Why does Berlin believe that lack of recognition is often mistaken for lack of freedom?
What I am is, in large part, determined by what I feel and think; and what I feel and think is determined by the feeling and thought prevailing in the society to
which I belong. One may feel un-free in the sense of being recognized as a self-governing individual, but also may feel the same as a member
What, according to Arendt, is the philosopher’s distinction from his fellow citizens” (101)?
His distinction is not that he possesses any special truth from which the multitude is excluded, but that he remains always ready to endure the pathos of winder and thereby avoids the dogmatism of mere opinion holders.
Why does Rawls equate the original position with a state of nature (917)?
No one knows his place in society, his position or social status, nor his fortune in the distribution of natural assets and abilities. No one is advantaged or disadvantaged in the choice of principals by the outcome of natural chance or contingency of social circumstance. Original position is the symmetry of everyone’s relations to one another.
Describe the two historical forms of self-direction identified by Berlin (881-3).
- Self mastery though self-abnegation, reducing your own desires to escape from unrealistic desires, not about following desires but controlling them.
- Self realization (liberation through reason) only true method of obtaining freedom is through use of critical reason. virtue=knowledge=freedom.
Under what conditions does Rawls believe that “there is no injustice in the greater benefits earned by a few” (919)?
Equality in assignments of basic rights and duties. Social and economic inequalities are just only if they result in compensating benefits for everyone, least advantaged members of society in particular.
How, according to Nozick, is the “Lockean proviso” not an end-state principle (966)?
It focuses on a particular way that appropriative actions affect others, and not on the structure of the situation that results.
Describe Nozick’s notion of a just distribution (958).
A distribution is just if everyone is entitled to the holdings they possess under the distribution. It is just if the distribution arises from another just distribution by legitimate means.
Explain Nozick’s claim that the term “distributive justice” is not neutral (957).
While the term is distributive justice hinting at a distribution of something through a system in charge of said supply. However there is nothing in charge of the supply, leading to an unequal distribution.
Why does Sandel believe that the “difference principle falls prey to the same objections as utilitarianism” (949)?
If the people I am morally required to share with are truly others not in the same class, the claim on me isn’t a claim of a constitutive community who I acknowledge, but a claim coming together from 2 parts. Utilitarians will only provide aid when the aid will lead to a benefit in the long run.
How does Taylor explain the difference between the traffic light installation, and the law forbidding religious practices (903)?
While the light may be a minor restriction of freedom, it is trivial and insignificant. The trade off with the light is of greater benefit where as religion hindrance is huge in comparison even with limiting to certain times. Religious beliefs are how some define themselves. Movement through a city and religious belief are both technically liberty-involving but they are very different,
How, according to Nozick, is the “Lockean proviso” not an end-state principle (966)?
It focuses on a particular way that appropriate actions affect others, and not on the structure of the situation that results.
