Tutorial � Tasioulas, ethics revision IV, consequentialism

Greg Detre

Friday, 8 March, 2002

 

Reading

Consequentialism � consequential evaluation + � (see Ben Cannon essay)

Philosophy 2000, vol 97, part IX

T M Scanlon � Sen + consequentialism

Economics + Philosophy, 2001

also: responses by Sen to Scanlon

 

Tutorial

Sen � trying to defend consequentialism without subscribing to any particular theory of the good (e.g. utilitarianism)

good vs right

ch 2 � Scanlon, What We Are

only reason to be consequentialist unles you have a very simple theory of the good like utilitarianism

Nagel � personal right + public space (Philosophy + Public affairs)

right � human inviolability

Sen � well-being � kind of objective list � developmental economies

governments must provide capabilities (i.e. opportunities) rather than forcing me (even if it would my well-being)

Goodness + Advice � Thompson������� ranking Tanner lectures

incommensurabiliy as a fundamental problem in ethics?(Manny)

usually a problem for theories based on human flourishing

how integrate the agent�s perspective with the impartial observer�s?

right entail duties � O�Neill

Bentham � no rights without remedy?

Raz � right exists if interest is weighty enough to impose a duty on someone else

imperfect obligation � not assigned to a specifiable individual

Raz � Rights + individual well-being in (Ethics + the public domain)

can't easily differentiate +ve/-ve rights

 

 

Questions

Dworking � objectivity + truth you�d better believe it � top 10 1996 � Tas says it�s terrible

welfarist/prudential value???

nonsense upon stilts - Bentham