Identifications and Definitions Flashcards
(20 cards)
Original position: a thought experiment.
Free and equal Individuals with a veil of ignorance, not knowing their positions within society, would choose two principles regarding the economic system and the political constitution.
Categorical imperative (Kant)
Actions that one must take regardless of personal gains, due to an intense moral duty. There are 4 rules for CI: maxim could be universal law; Maxim respects humanity in self and others as end in itself. Maxim allows both legislator and subjects (everyone) to be autonomous. Lastly, Maxim harmonizes legislation in “kingdom of ends” (everyone is legislator and subject of universal laws that respect humanity of self and others).
Minimal state
Only the minimal state is morally justified. Governments should be limited to national defense, to enforcing private property rights and laws of contract to coordinate exchange, and to providing basic infrastructure such as roads and schools. Coincides with negative liberty and Libertarianism.
Civic virtue
Virtues that are required to have a functioning and civil society. Values linked to the values of good citizens and citizenship. Public figures must be a model of the values of civic virtue. Greeks believed only men had civic virtues.
Civil disobedience
Nonviolent direct action that creates an environment where negotiation is the only way forward. It should cause unease and crisis. Justification for nonviolent protest in the U.S. is the declaration of independence stating, “All men are created equal” though, all men are not treated equally by law. This spurs folks to fight against unjust laws.
Aristotle
A Greek philosopher who believed the polis allowed people to flourish. He believed giving people what they deserve is justice. He believed there were two types of Justice. distributive justice emphasizes proportional equality and Corrective justice focuses on equality by restoring losses.
Immanuel Kant
A German Philosopher who believed moral decisions must past 4 categorical imperatives. They’re called the First Formulation, the Humanity Formulation, the Autonomy Formulation, and the Kingdom of Ends Formulation respectively. His philosophy was right’s based or deontological. One of the founders of modern liberalism.
John Stuart Mill
An English Philosopher who attempted to reconcile liberalism with the utilitarian philosophy. He believed that people should be free to do whatever they want, provided they do not harm others. He thought liberty of ideas improves social utility. Also, that the individual is sovereign over his own body and mind.
Combahee River Collective
Black Lesbian socialist Feminist organization founded by Barbara Smith. They held the standpoint theory that politics grown out of their own experiences will change their lives and end their oppression. They believed in working with and fighting for other organizations. The organization lasted for six years from 1974-1980.
Martin Luther King
African American Preacher and civil rights leader known for “I have a dream” speech. In that speech, he reinstates that justice delayed is justice denied. Moreover, he claims injustice for one group of people causes injustice for all people. He was considered an extremist, but now he is largely remembered well.
Liberalism
They may acknowledge government aids liberty. They prioritize doing what you want as you long as you don’t infringe on me doing the same over good. Believe in multiple visions of the good life. Furthermore, they believe in negative liberty.
Neo Liberalism
They want the government to change society to constitute an artificial and fragile market. They want to submit all government actions to cost-benefit analysis. Some want a universal basic income. Everything you gain or lose satisfaction from is a return or a loss.
Communitarianism
Liberals that argue for moral values they think the community should adopt. They focus on solidarity, collective and inherited obligation, and civic virtues. Nationalism is hyper communitarianism. Common good over right, like Utilitarians.
Christian Nationalism
Fuses American identity with Christian values, believing the U.S. should be or is a Christian Nation. Has gender-specific virtues. Laws based on Christian values from the Bible. An example is the Louisiana law that requires Ten Commandments in the classroom.
Prison Abolition
Groups that want to replace prisons with rehabilitation centers. They believe in redemption over punishment. Prison abolitionist believe in social safety nets, e.g., give those who make a mistake second chances. Angela Davis popularized the movement.
First principle of original position
Each person has the same indefeasible claim to a scheme of equal basic liberties, which is compatible with the same scheme of liberties for all.
Second principle of Original Position
Social and economic disparities have two conditions: must be tied to offices and jobs open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity; must be to the greatest benefit of the poorest members of society (the difference principle).
Maximizing Welfare
Justice is promoting prosperity, economic growth, and improving the standard of living as it makes society better off. Utilitarianism, seeking the greatest happiness for the greatest number, coincides with this.
Respecting Freedom
Justice means respecting individual rights. Minimal state and libertarianism aligns with this view of justice. Two main camps for freedom based justice are negative liberty and positive liberty. The former is freedom from government interference, the latter is freedom from the negative effects of poverty.
Cultivating Virtues
Justice is based on virtues and the good life. Drawn from moral or religious ideals. Christian Nationalism and Martin Luther King both purport a form of virtue based justice. Communitarianism is an example of this.
