Phil 240- Prof. Messina_ Purdue University (Exam Two)

First Class of Goods

Things valued for their own sake (justice)

Second Class of Goods

Things valued for their own sake and for the sake of their effects

Third Class of Goods

Things disvalued for their own sake, but embraced for their benefits

Ring of Gyges

Glaucon believes the Ring of Gyges would make someone act unjustly because other people wouldn’t see him acting that way (acting out of necessity). Socrates disagrees and states that someone who acts unjust because of the ring is a slave to his appetite.

Socrate’s Method

A city is larger than a man, so if we learn what justice looks like within a city, we can look for it in the individual. No one is self-sufficient so we gather together for mutual benefits. (Pro-Communism)

Glaucon’s Objection

Such a city is not worthy of a man- who has an appetite of luxury. (Pro-Capitalism)

The Education of the Guardians

No property, no private dwellings, moderate sustenance, no luxuries, and common eating spaces.

Four Characteristics of a City

Wisdom, moderation, courage, and justice.

Rawl’s Theory

Theorize justice for the basic structure of society, with no guarantee that such a theory will determine the just orderings of the soul or intermediate institutions. (justice is promoted for welfare)

Socrates and Rawls

We benefit from coming together in a society to help each other.

What is a well ordered society?

Everyone accepts and knows that the others in a society accept the same principles of justice. The basic social institutions satisfy these principles.

Concept of Justice

No arbitrary distinctions between persons and rules determine a proper balance between competing claims.

Conceptions of Justice

Utilitarianism, system of natural liberty, justice as fairness, libertarianism

Ideal Theory

Assume strict compliance

Non-ideal Theory

Relax assumption on strict compliance

Rawl’s Method

Ahistorical- contract is purely hypothetical

Non-institutional- contract is not over a particular form of government

The Original Position

Replaces the state of nature but encodes its equality. Characterized by a veil of ignorance- no one knows their place in society.

The Equalities Principle

All individuals are recognized as equal before the law and in society.

The Differences Principle

Inequalities are acceptable only if they benefit the least advantaged.

Okin’s Criticism of Rawls and Nozick

She says they do not apply their theories of justice to the family and many inequalities stem from the family model.

The Social Structure of Gender

Okin highlights how women disproportionately bear the burden of unpaid domestic labor and caregiving.

Justice must include the family

Okin argues that any theory of justice that excludes the family is incomplete.