The problem of envy in ideal and nonideal theory
Autor(a) principal: | |
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Data de Publicação: | 2024 |
Tipo de documento: | preprint |
Idioma: | eng |
Título da fonte: | SciELO Preprints |
Texto Completo: | https://preprints.scielo.org/index.php/scielo/preprint/view/7890 |
Resumo: | In recent years, scholars have explored the potential of John Rawls’s concept of excusable envy as a source of motivation for building fairer societies. However, I argue that these scholars overlook Rawls’s conceptual account of envy and the distinction between ideal and nonideal theory in A Theory of Justice. Consequently, they unintentionally rely on a thesis that Rawls aimed to distance his theory from: the notion that equality is a product of envy. Additionally, I engage with critics of Rawls who claim that his treatment of the problem of envy is inadequate. They assert that the least advantaged individuals often assess their societal position based on merit rather than legitimate expectations, which can lead to envy and destabilize a well-ordered society. I assert that while this criticism cannot impact Rawls’s ideal theory, it offers an unintended contribution to nonideal theory. To enrich this perspective, I briefly consider the psychology not only of the least advantaged but also of the most advantaged members of society. By delving into this matter, I aim to illuminate the ongoing theoretical debate and provide insights into the ways we can transition to a more just society. |
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The problem of envy in ideal and nonideal theoryJohn Rawlspolitical emotionsenvyjustice as fairnessideal theorynonideal theoryIn recent years, scholars have explored the potential of John Rawls’s concept of excusable envy as a source of motivation for building fairer societies. However, I argue that these scholars overlook Rawls’s conceptual account of envy and the distinction between ideal and nonideal theory in A Theory of Justice. Consequently, they unintentionally rely on a thesis that Rawls aimed to distance his theory from: the notion that equality is a product of envy. Additionally, I engage with critics of Rawls who claim that his treatment of the problem of envy is inadequate. They assert that the least advantaged individuals often assess their societal position based on merit rather than legitimate expectations, which can lead to envy and destabilize a well-ordered society. I assert that while this criticism cannot impact Rawls’s ideal theory, it offers an unintended contribution to nonideal theory. To enrich this perspective, I briefly consider the psychology not only of the least advantaged but also of the most advantaged members of society. By delving into this matter, I aim to illuminate the ongoing theoretical debate and provide insights into the ways we can transition to a more just society.SciELO PreprintsSciELO PreprintsSciELO Preprints2024-01-15info:eu-repo/semantics/preprintinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionapplication/pdfhttps://preprints.scielo.org/index.php/scielo/preprint/view/789010.1590/SciELOPreprints.7890enghttps://preprints.scielo.org/index.php/scielo/article/view/7890/14773Copyright (c) 2024 Mariana Kuhn de Oliveirahttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessOliveira, Mariana Kuhn dereponame:SciELO Preprintsinstname:Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO)instacron:SCI2024-01-13T00:34:13Zoai:ops.preprints.scielo.org:preprint/7890Servidor de preprintshttps://preprints.scielo.org/index.php/scieloONGhttps://preprints.scielo.org/index.php/scielo/oaiscielo.submission@scielo.orgopendoar:2024-01-13T00:34:13SciELO Preprints - Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO)false |
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv |
The problem of envy in ideal and nonideal theory |
title |
The problem of envy in ideal and nonideal theory |
spellingShingle |
The problem of envy in ideal and nonideal theory Oliveira, Mariana Kuhn de John Rawls political emotions envy justice as fairness ideal theory nonideal theory |
title_short |
The problem of envy in ideal and nonideal theory |
title_full |
The problem of envy in ideal and nonideal theory |
title_fullStr |
The problem of envy in ideal and nonideal theory |
title_full_unstemmed |
The problem of envy in ideal and nonideal theory |
title_sort |
The problem of envy in ideal and nonideal theory |
author |
Oliveira, Mariana Kuhn de |
author_facet |
Oliveira, Mariana Kuhn de |
author_role |
author |
dc.contributor.author.fl_str_mv |
Oliveira, Mariana Kuhn de |
dc.subject.por.fl_str_mv |
John Rawls political emotions envy justice as fairness ideal theory nonideal theory |
topic |
John Rawls political emotions envy justice as fairness ideal theory nonideal theory |
description |
In recent years, scholars have explored the potential of John Rawls’s concept of excusable envy as a source of motivation for building fairer societies. However, I argue that these scholars overlook Rawls’s conceptual account of envy and the distinction between ideal and nonideal theory in A Theory of Justice. Consequently, they unintentionally rely on a thesis that Rawls aimed to distance his theory from: the notion that equality is a product of envy. Additionally, I engage with critics of Rawls who claim that his treatment of the problem of envy is inadequate. They assert that the least advantaged individuals often assess their societal position based on merit rather than legitimate expectations, which can lead to envy and destabilize a well-ordered society. I assert that while this criticism cannot impact Rawls’s ideal theory, it offers an unintended contribution to nonideal theory. To enrich this perspective, I briefly consider the psychology not only of the least advantaged but also of the most advantaged members of society. By delving into this matter, I aim to illuminate the ongoing theoretical debate and provide insights into the ways we can transition to a more just society. |
publishDate |
2024 |
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv |
2024-01-15 |
dc.type.driver.fl_str_mv |
info:eu-repo/semantics/preprint info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion |
format |
preprint |
status_str |
publishedVersion |
dc.identifier.uri.fl_str_mv |
https://preprints.scielo.org/index.php/scielo/preprint/view/7890 10.1590/SciELOPreprints.7890 |
url |
https://preprints.scielo.org/index.php/scielo/preprint/view/7890 |
identifier_str_mv |
10.1590/SciELOPreprints.7890 |
dc.language.iso.fl_str_mv |
eng |
language |
eng |
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv |
https://preprints.scielo.org/index.php/scielo/article/view/7890/14773 |
dc.rights.driver.fl_str_mv |
Copyright (c) 2024 Mariana Kuhn de Oliveira https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
rights_invalid_str_mv |
Copyright (c) 2024 Mariana Kuhn de Oliveira https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 |
eu_rights_str_mv |
openAccess |
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv |
application/pdf |
dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv |
SciELO Preprints SciELO Preprints SciELO Preprints |
publisher.none.fl_str_mv |
SciELO Preprints SciELO Preprints SciELO Preprints |
dc.source.none.fl_str_mv |
reponame:SciELO Preprints instname:Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO) instacron:SCI |
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Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO) |
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SCI |
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SCI |
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SciELO Preprints |
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SciELO Preprints |
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SciELO Preprints - Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO) |
repository.mail.fl_str_mv |
scielo.submission@scielo.org |
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1797047814767771648 |