Week 7 - Ideal Theory, Non-Ideal Theory and Normative Evaluation Flashcards
What are the main theories of distributive justice discussed?
Nozick, Rawls, Dworkin
These theories represent different benchmarks for justice.
What is a key objection to deontological theories of justice?
They are unrealistic or overly utopian
Critics argue these theories focus on ideal societies rather than practical realities.
What is the purpose of specifying ideal societal contours in justice theorizing?
To avoid complacent acceptance of the status quo
Defenders argue that ideals help to critique existing systems.
What role do constraints play in theories of justice?
They specify the boundaries of ideal theorizing
Constraints represent aspects of the human condition that cannot be altered.
What does Rawls’s veil of ignorance thought experiment aim to achieve?
To abstract away from current biases
It encourages impartial consideration of justice.
Define logistical constraints in Rawls’s theory.
Justice is only possible under moderate scarcity
Absolute scarcity prevents justice; super-abundance eliminates its necessity.
What are motivational constraints according to Rawls?
Principles of justice must not require massive personal sacrifice
Principles apply only to those who agree to share one another’s fate.
What is the difference principle in Rawls’s theory?
Inequalities are allowed if they benefit the least advantaged
It recognizes the need for incentives to enhance productivity.
What is the assumption of full motivational compliance in Rawls’s ideal theory?
People will follow laws once just institutions are in place
This assumption does not consider non-compliance in non-ideal circumstances.
What is non-ideal theory?
An approach focusing on improving current circumstances
It considers people’s interests as they are now.
What are epistemic constraints in Rawls’s theory?
They are not significant in Rawls’s version of ideal theory
Critics argue this neglect skews conclusions about justice-satisfying institutions.
How does Rawls view the price mechanism in a justice-satisfying economy?
It requires a functioning price mechanism
Rawls is indifferent to how prices are set, whether by planners or market forces.
What is Cohen’s critique of Rawls regarding motivational constraints?
Cohen believes ideal theory should not concede to motivational constraints
He argues that these factors may change under the right conditions.
What does Cohen argue about the difference principle?
It should not rely on incentives to raise the position of the worst off
He views it as a non-ideal consideration.
Describe Cohen’s view on ideal justice.
It implies rough equality of incomes
He argues for minimal income differentials for job execution.
What is a criticism of Cohen’s ideal theory regarding self-interest?
It does not eradicate self-interest
Critics argue it allows for non-material self-interest while dismissing material self-interest.
What is the significance of facts in Cohen’s ideal theorizing?
Conceptions of justice should not be constrained by facts
Facts may change, and ideals should be based on principles independent of them.
What is the concern regarding the welfare state and immigration controls?
It may limit job opportunities for the world’s poorest
Critics argue this raises questions about the fairness of welfare policies.
What does Cohen suggest about our conceptions of an ideally just world?
They should not be constrained by ‘facts’ because ‘facts’ may change under different conditions.
What should idealised conceptions of justice be based on according to Cohen?
Principles that are independent of facts.
What is the purpose of the principles in Cohen’s view on justice?
To help us move towards more just states of the world.
What do critics of Cohen’s views argue regarding unattainable ideals?
That they may produce catastrophic results in real world circumstances.
True or False: Critics believe that unattainable ideals can provide guidance for current actions.
False.
Who criticizes Cohen’s views by stating that a theory of justice must consider facts about agents?
David Miller.
Fill in the blank: Idealised conceptions of justice should help us move towards more just states than would be possible under a _______.
[less principled position].
What do critics suggest about the implications of pursuing unattainable ideals?
It does not make sense to suggest they can guide our actions.
