CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2010
| Author | Erakovic, Dijana |
|---|---|
| Title | An assessment of Cohen's critique on Rawls: Is the egalitarian ethos embedded in the Rawlsian society? |
| Summary | The egalitarian ethos is embedded element of the just society. The ethos displays an idea that two moral powers of the members of just society should be in balance in their influence on their choices and life in general. The difference principle could be applied on the personal choices on the same way as on the basic structure of society, but certain constrains must be taken in considerations. Therefore, two conditions are necessary: 1) the number of issues which are subject of individual positive action is limited; 2) a person takes a positive action to benefit a part of a society which s/he considers significantly worse off in comparison with him/herself. The basic structure should promote the egalitarian ethos in respect to three requirements. Firstly, citizens are not allowed to assess if a person respects the difference principle, entering into the content of choices. Secondly, basic structure should promote the egalitarian ethos without any prescription how the difference principle must be satisfied concretely. Finally, Williams’ requirement of publicity in its strict reading must not be satisfied. These requirements are necessary to avoid the liberty restrictions. Although social ethos is unstructured, non-coercive set of practices, attitudes and values, social pressure could result in valuable losses and heavy violations of liberties. In such society, the idea of justice would be maximized. It would be Rawlsian just society in its ideal version. |
| Supervisor | Moles,Andres |
| Department | Political Science MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2010/erakovic_dijana.pdf |
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