Rawls's Theory of Justice Adlesic, Gregor
Socialno Delo,
12/1998, Letnik:
37, Številka:
6
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Outlines the basic theoretical & methodological starting points of John Rawls's (1973) theory of justice, described as a systematic attempt to overcome evident deficiencies in modern utilitarianism & ...positivism that mark moral philosophy of the late 20th century. Rawls tries to do this by relating his ideas to Immanuel Kant's moral philosophy, but he only incorporates Kant's basic moral demands, not his methodology. Rawls assumes the demand for freedom & equality to be the focal point of moral convictions in modern democratic societies; however, he does not see it as a duty, but as a right & as the basis of a sense of justice. Rawls founds his conception of justice on the method of reflexive equilibrium, derived from pragmatic moral philosophy. For Rawls, moral philosophy possesses a Socratic nature; only when the chosen principles have been rationally judged by the method of reflexive equilibrium can intuitions be changed accordingly. Thus, what initially seemed like grounding political prejudices turns out to be a method of changing the view of justice. Some radical conclusions entailed by the logic of the method of reflexive equilibrium are presented. 8 References. Adapted from the source document.
After or Back to Virtue? Adlesic, Gregor
Socialno Delo,
02/1998, Letnik:
37, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
In a critique of A. MacIntyre's (eg, 1985) analysis of what, in liberal sentiment, is currently regarded as "moral scandal," MacIntyre is taken to task for his reading of the decline of Aristotelian ...ethics of virtue or morality based on the idea of a common good. He places too much emphasis on the nihilism of the modern age as the primary cause of the falling away from classical notions of virtue as a motivator in social interactions. It is argued that it may not be possible to assume that there are such things as social values that result from social practices, at least as the foundation for a morality that incorporates the common good, individual ego, & social equity; Aristotelian philosophy is inadequate for examining the interplay of such a variety of social forces. MacIntyre also spends too much time attacking modern philosophical attitudes toward utilitarianism, pragmatism, & individualism. 15 References. Adapted from the source document.
