Justice As Desert: Is There Any Such Thing?
ABSTRACT: Philosopher Matthew Lipman, in Social Inquiry, says that there are instances in which 'what one deserves may be specified fairly readily. A sick child deserves medicine, a hungry child deserves food, children deserve an education...' This seems to imply that these are cases in which what one deserves is clear-cut, and only when 'the cases become more complicated' does it become 'progressively more difficult' to determine desert. I would submit that these cases are not nearly so cut-and-dry, in terms of determining desert, as one might imagine. Is it really correct to say that a sick child deserves medicine? Who is to say? Who is to be the ultimate arbiter? Is there some sort of authority or power (higher or otherwise) who is looked to in order to make such a determination (or who is looked to in order to justify making such an assertion in the first place)? Is desert to be determined based on need? On abundance of what is deserved? On legal entitlements? This paper will address just such questions.
Philosopher Matthew Lipman, in Social Inquiry, says that there are instances in which "what one deserves may be specified fairly readily. A sick child deserves medicine, a hungry child deserves food, children deserve an education...." (1) This seems to imply that these are cases in which what one deserves is clear-cut, and only when "the cases become more complicated" does it become "progressively more difficult" to determine desert. (2)
I would reply: not so fast. These aforementioned cases, I submit, are not nearly so cut-and-dried, in terms of determining desert, as one might imagine. Is it really correct to say that a sick child deserves medicine? Who is to say? Who is to be the ultimate arbiter? Is there some sort of authority or power (higher or otherwise) who is looked to in order to make such a determination (or who is looked to in order to justify making such an assertion in the first place)?
Certainly, a sick child usually needs certain medication in order to get better. Moreover, in a society in which such medication is plentiful, legislators may be prompted to enact a law that stipulates that all sick children are entitled legally to such medication.
But do they deserve such medication, just because they need it or the medication is abundant or they are legally entitled to it?
In Peter Singer’s “Famine, Affluence and Morality,” Singer makes three claims about moral duty; that avoidable suffering is bad, that it is our moral obligation to help others in need, and that we should help those in suffering regardless of their distance to us or if others are in the same position as we are to help. First, I will elaborate on Singer’s arguments for each of these positions. Next, I will discuss two objections to Singer’s position, one that he debates in his writings and another that I examine on my own, and Singer’s responses to those objections. Then I will examine why Singer’s rebuttals to the objections were successful.
This paper explores Peter Singer’s argument, in Famine, Affluence, and Morality, that we have morally required obligations to those in need. The explanation of his argument and conclusion, if accepted, would dictate changes to our lifestyle as well as our conceptions of duty and charity, and would be particularly demanding of the affluent. In response to the central case presented by Singer, John Kekes offers his version, which he labels the and points out some objections. Revisions of the principle provide some response to the objections, but raise additional problems. Yet, in the end, the revisions provide support for Singer’s basic argument that, in some way, we ought to help those in need.
Chinua Achebe composed an essay titled "An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's HEART OF DARKNESS" interpreting his attitude on the novella. In his essay, Achebe states that “Heart of Darkness projects the likeness of Africa as “the other world”, the antithesis of Europe and thus of civilization, a place where a man’s vaunted intelligence and refinement are finally mocked by triumphant bestiality”(Achebe 783). Readers are hit by the insensitivity and savage way in which European colonists advanced the tribal heritage they searched to “civilize". Chinua Achebe cites numerous points in the text where this concept is shown. Achebe also argues that the river Thames is mismatched to the river Congo, its “very antithesis” (3), where the activity in the innovative is centralized. Achebe argues that what is concerned about Conrad is not the definiteness, but the lurking hint of kinship, of widespread ancestry. For the Thames too ‘has been one of the dark locations of the earth.’ It conquered its darkness, of course, and is now in daylight and at calm. But if it were to visit its primal relation, the Congo, it would run the awful risk of hearing grotesque echoes of its own disregarded darkness, and dropping victim to an avenging recrudescence of the mindless frenzy of the first beginnings. Achebe is most interested in the novel’s characterization, that is, its portraits of Afri...
Uniforms are worn for many different reasons such as being in jail or going to work, and you can see them today almost anywhere in the world. Now uniforms are becoming a popular trend amongst schools. The question is should students be forced to wear them? Some parents and teachers say that uniforms keep the students focused on academics and not fashion. Opposers believe that kids should have the freedom to choose what they wear to school. Although, uniforms do limit the student’s choice to wear whatever they please, which is the con to having the enforcement, uniforms are supposed to be looked upon as a positive thing. They eliminate bullying, help students focus only on academics, combine social classes and gives the school campus a professional
When you think about the word uniform, what’s the first thing that comes to you? You might think of a police officer, nurse, doctor or maybe even someone in the military, but what about uniforms for school? Today, there are more schools that are now considering switching to uniforms to keep things professional and equal to all students, but, is it really fair to make restrictions to students on wanting to be able to express themselves personally? Students might feel that they are being restricted on the freedom to be able to express who they are but schools believe that the safety and security of the student’s body should be more important than just expressing their own styles. Now, the school systems are struggling more each day to try to
The ideal society we would all be considered equal, but reality often defies this idealism. When we think of police officers, we think of people working hard to keep us all safe, but this may not always be the case in today 's society. This is demonstrated in an opinion piece published in the Miami Herald, entitled “Need a ‘big, bad dude’? White criminals need not apply” by Leonard Pitts Jr. The article opens by discussing the shooting of African-American man Terence Crutcher, where the police officer who shot him stated it was due to him not obeying her orders and reaching inside his SUV for a weapon. However, the video of the shooting shows that this did not happen. The article also goes on to discuss other African-Americans shot in recent
What is Porter Diamond Model? It was known as a Diamond Model by anyone or public. The diamond model is one of the economic model developed by Porter's in 1990 in his own entitled. 'The Competitive Advantage' of Nation's, where he published herself on his theory. The theory was founded by Michael Porter's that has been used by certain industries only, where it will be more competitive in some specific location. The theory by Michael Porter is why the particular industries become a more competitive in some particular locations. This theory is also very effective in providing healthy competition among the industry right now. This theory also prepared personally by Porter's. It is very important for some industries which they know will be deepened and become more competitive in these locations. This theory plays an important role in criticizing or become one way for the industry to grow their businesses in certain locations. In addition, the diamond model helps to understand the comparison between the position of some countries of the industry in global competition that is very rapid.
One of the greatest controversies that is spreading throughout high schools in the United States is parents and their children against the enforcement of their school’s uniform policy. More schools have been adopting uniform policies within the past decade. Rules contained in the policy that are implemented range from wearing certain types of tops (shirts) in specified colors to students being required to tuck in their shirts. In the past, uniforms were exclusively for students who attended private schools because they were “well-off”, but now uniforms are being seen more frequently in public schools on students of all economic levels. Having gone through a school system that considered adopting a uniform policy, I would have to press against the issue of mandated uniforms, because it is simply un-American and unjust.
In this paper, I will examine Nozick’s ‘whatever arises from a just situation by just steps is itself just’ formula. By this formula, Nozick protects individuals’ absolute property rights. To examine its validity, first, I will show that Nozick’s entitlement theory relies on Kantian principle, which demands treating everyone as persons having individual rights with dignity. However, it will be clear that Kantian theory does not necessarily yield the concept of absolute property rights. Second, I will explain the principle of self-ownership, which will clarify that persons have rights over their bodies and powers. I will find the principle of self-ownership is compatible with Kantian principle. Third, I will examine Nozick’s proviso, which guides legitimate initial acquisition. However, finally, I will show that the appropriation that passes Nozick’s proviso violates the idea of respecting people as persons with dignity. In other words, Nozick’s proviso is inconsistent with Kantian principle. Therefore, Nozick’s formula fails.
Equity means giving every individual what he or she merits or, in more conventional terms, giving every individual his or her due. Equity and reasonableness are nearly related terms that are frequently today utilized conversely. There have, be that as it may, additionally been more unmistakable understandings of the two terms. While equity normally has been utilized with reference to a standard of rightness, decency frequently has been utilized as to a capacity to judge without reference to one 's emotions or intrigues; reasonableness has additionally been utilized to allude to the capacity to make judgments that are not excessively general but rather that are concrete and particular to a specific case. Regardless, an idea of desert is significant to both equity and decency. Case in point, are requesting what they think they merit when they are requesting that they be treated with equity and decency. At the point when individuals contrast over what they accept ought to be given, or when choices must be
Cole, David W., and Kenneth B. Grant. "Conrad's Heart of Darkness." The Explicator 54.1 1995.
As Kant would put it, “Enlightenment is man’s emergence from his self-imposed immaturity” (Kant 1784, p. 1). However, what does this truly mean? Kant says that this said immaturity is not due to man’s lack of understanding, but rather man’s lack of courage and confidence to use his understanding willingly and without the direction of others. In other words, Enlightenment to Kant is to resist authority and traditions, allowing us to think for ourselves. “’Have courage to use your own understanding!’—that is the motto of enlightenment” (Kant 1784, p. 1). Furthermore, enlightenment cannot be achieved overnight. It would be foolish to say otherwise. As a person grows slowly yet surely out of this self-imposed condition of immaturity is when one
Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness 3rd Ed. Ed. Robert Kimbrough. New York: Norton Critical, 1988.
At the beginning of the 20th century almost no parent or faculty had any concerns with how students dressed to attend school. Nowadays, though, this is a giant concern among students, parents, and school board officials. Many arguments have been made over the matter saying uniforms should be required and enforced in schools. But, uniforms should not be required as they ultimately eliminate freedom of expression, promote conformity over individuality, may have a detrimental effect on students self image, emphasize the socioeconomic divisions they are supposed to eliminate, and lastly, school uniforms in public schools undermine the promise of a free education by adding an extra expense for families.
Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness 3rd Ed. Ed. Robert Kimbrough. New York: Norton Critical, 1988.