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Constrained maximization Economics
Social contract theory in ethics
Social contract theory in ethics
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David Gauthier's Answer to Why Be Moral
ABSTRACT: In this paper I argue that David Gauthier’s answer to the Why be moral? question fails. My argument concedes the possibility of constrained maximization in all the senses Gauthier intends and does not rely on the claim that it is better to masquerade as a constrained maximizer than to be one. Instead, I argue that once a constrained maximizer in the guise of "economic man" is transformed through an affective commitment to morality into a constrained maximizer in the guise of the "liberal individual," then a purely rational justification for morality must become invisible to the latter. If I can show this, then I can show that rational justification can have no motivational power for the "liberal individual" and that Gauthier fails to answer the problem of moral motivation.
I begin by making what I take to be a crucial distinction. This distinction separates two levels at which a contract theory may operate. At the first level the contractarian theory is directed at the question of moral motivation. That is, it takes the idea of agreement to be the source of motivation to be or become moral. The agreement thus serves to bring into the moral domain agents who, prior to the agreement, were not moral agents. At the second level the contractarian theory is directed at the question of the content and justification of our most general normative principles and values. That is, it takes the idea of agreement to be the source of both content and justification. For convenience I will describe a theory which is contractarian at both levels as complete, and a theory which is contractarian at only one level as partial.
The problem of moral motivation, when understood as a problem of enticing non-moral agents into the moral domain, is a specific problem only for a contractarian theory which is complete or which is partial at level one. A contractarianism which is partial at level two has no special obligations, qua contractarian theory, to answer the Why be moral? question. In other words, such a theory does not offer, and does not aim at offering, a contractarian answer to the Why be moral? question since it is not concerned with moral-non-moral distinction. The early Rawls (1971) and Gauthier (1975,1986) both offer complete theories, while the later Rawls (1980) and Thomas Scanlon (1982) offer theories which are partial at level two (I will drop the ‘at level two': this can be assumed unless I indicate otherwise).
Imagine that rational actor X has been charged with the responsibility of developing the guiding principles for a totaly new type of social contract for today’s society. Is there a way for actor X to perform this task in a truly equitable manner? Consider that “with respect to any complex mater of deep human importance there is n o ‘innocent eye’ —no way of seeing the world that is entirely neutral and free of cultural shaping.” 1 As an entrenched member of a particular culture the complete removal of personal biases and prejudices from within the human psyche is not possible; nonetheless, it would of course be necessary to take steps to at least minimize their effects. In his 1971 book, A Theory of Justice , John Rawls suggests that exactly this type of reduction is possible by figuratively stepping behind a ‘veil of ignorance’ int o what he labels the ‘original position’ —this paper is an introduction to the contractarian thinking of John Rawls and its relation to the original position as expressed in his 1971 book, A Theory of Justice.
Peter Singer's paper “Famine, Affluence, and Morality”has made a drastic impact in modern applied ethics. The simple nature of the paper makes for an easy read, yet the point clearly set out by Singer is at ends with the targeted audiences' popular beliefs. Although most will object to Singer's idea by throwing away a basic principle of most moral theories, I wish to deny Singer's solution by showing that the ability to apply Singer's conclusion is not reasonable and does not address the problem's core.
In order to demonstrate that equal outcomes for women do require different approaches within the criminal justice system, this essay intends to look at the behavioural and situational differences between female and male offenders. It will highlight the inadequate facilities available for female prisoners. It will also look at the historical differences between crimes committed by males and females and the growing trend of women involvement in drug offences. This essay will also examine the status of mental health of women within the criminal justice system and explore if this issue is more prevalent amongst female offenders.
In the fifth century B.C. the themes of Antigone are strong and still relevant to an audience of the twenty-first century. The themes and issues established in Antigone are universal to the human condition because they are not out-dated, their issues remain common in ever changing societies and cultures. Since the plays of Sophocles concern human relationships and not interaction between the divine and human kind, they remain timeless.
Assessing the consequences of our country’s soaring imprison rates has less to do with the question of guilt versus innocence than it does with the question of who among us truly deserves to go to prison and face the restrictive and sometimes brutally repressive conditions found there. We are adding more than one thousand prisoners to our prison and jail systems every single week. The number of women in prisons and jails has reached a sad new milestone. As women become entangled with the war on drugs, the number in prison has increased if not double the rate of incarceration for men. The impact of their incarceration devastates thousands of children, who lose their primary caregiver when Mom goes to prison.
Nobles and royalty created ballet in the 1400s as a means to showcase the grandeur of their courts (Bailey 16). Today, the performance art has evolved into countless techniques and styles, drawing millions of audience members all around the world. This enduring transformation from noble spectacle to professional craftsmanship was spearheaded by the leaders and influential voices of the dance world: artistic directors. Presently, artistic directors are multitalented individuals who can teach, choreograph, and run a business; although traditional schooling is not required, rigorous multifaceted education is necessary and can prepare an individual for a difficult but rewarding future.
The Sentencing Project: Research and Advocacy for Reform. (2007) Women in the Criminal Justice System: Briefing Sheets.
This essay explains the various historical and socio-economic reasons of political theorists to individually formulate the social contract theory in their respective times.
...cked me, until, grievously bruised by stones and many other kinds of missile weapons, I escaped to the open country. 73
contract theory in general and including the views of Rawls, is such that in a
Dance, more specifically ballet, began as early as the 1400s, developing through many parts of the world including France, Italy, Russia, and America. This physical art began for the King and traveled through centuries to transform into the modernistic version America and around the world sustains. To find out how this transformation occurred many people must be mentioned such as King Louis XIV, Rudolf Nureyev, Natalia Makarova, Anna Pavlova, Sergei Diaghilev, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and George Balanchine. To convert from the beginning of ballet to where it is in America now, one must consider style, purpose, and use to find out why it is the way it is now.
Crime is an ongoing problem that has been evolving for many years. From incarceration to working in correctional facilities, women obtain unique characteristics in corrections. This paper gives an account of the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of the past accounts of women in corrections. The good addresses the struggles and obstacles women have overcome to gain equal access in corrections. The bad involves the harassment and negative aspects women were subjected to endure in a correctional setting, and negative situations from male offender and coworkers. The ugly gives a description of the sexual abuse and involvement between female correctional officers and male offenders in custody. This research paper will provide insight to women’s role in the correctional field; and will propose the use of rehabilitation programs and workshops for women correctional officers will provide adequate workers in correctional institutes.
Provide a rationale for the U.S. publicly traded company that you selected, indicating the significant factors driving your decision as a financial manager.
Friend, Celeste. "Social Contract Theory [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy]." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Hamilton College, 15 Oct. 2004. Web. 01 Oct. 2011. .
Sophocles’ background influenced him to write Antigone. In the fifth century BCE. the “golden era” of Athens, is an important influence in the author’s life. In that time, Athens has experienced so much change in all facets; in addition, drama continues as a major factor in Athenian culture. In his essay “Sophocles,” Ed Downey reports that Sophocles was born at the beginning of the “golden era” in Athens; furthermore, he lived a long life influenced by “the artistic and cultural achievements in the ancient Greek world.” Sophocles is a wealthy and highly educated, “happy man.” As a young man, Sophocles begins his playwright career, so he eventually become one of the greatest writers in history;