Equality Renewed

Justice, Flourishing and the Egalitarian Ideal

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Political, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
Cover of the book Equality Renewed by Christine Sypnowich, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Christine Sypnowich ISBN: 9781315458311
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: December 19, 2016
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Christine Sypnowich
ISBN: 9781315458311
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: December 19, 2016
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

How should we approach the daunting task of renewing the ideal of equality?

In this book, Christine Sypnowich proposes a theory of equality centred on human flourishing or wellbeing. She argues that egalitarianism should be understood as seeking to make people more equal in the constituents of a good life. Inequality is a social ill because of the damage it does to human flourishing: unequal distribution of wealth can have the effect that some people are poorly housed, badly nourished, ill-educated, unhappy or uncultured, among other things. When we seek to make people more equal our concern is not just resources or property, but how people fare under one distribution or another. Ultimately, the best answer to the question, ‘equality of what?,’ is some conception of flourishing, since whatever policies or principles we adopt, it is flourishing that we hope will be more equal as a result of our endeavours.

Sypnowich calls for both retrieval and innovation. What is to be retrieved is the ideal of equality itself, which is often assumed as a background condition of theories of justice, yet at the same time, dismissed as too homogenising, abstract and rigid a criterion for political argument. We must retrieve the ideal of equality as a central political principle. In doing so, she casts doubt on the value of focussing on cultural difference, and rejects the idea of neutrality that dominates contemporary political philosophy in favour of a view of the state as enabling the betterment of its citizens.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

How should we approach the daunting task of renewing the ideal of equality?

In this book, Christine Sypnowich proposes a theory of equality centred on human flourishing or wellbeing. She argues that egalitarianism should be understood as seeking to make people more equal in the constituents of a good life. Inequality is a social ill because of the damage it does to human flourishing: unequal distribution of wealth can have the effect that some people are poorly housed, badly nourished, ill-educated, unhappy or uncultured, among other things. When we seek to make people more equal our concern is not just resources or property, but how people fare under one distribution or another. Ultimately, the best answer to the question, ‘equality of what?,’ is some conception of flourishing, since whatever policies or principles we adopt, it is flourishing that we hope will be more equal as a result of our endeavours.

Sypnowich calls for both retrieval and innovation. What is to be retrieved is the ideal of equality itself, which is often assumed as a background condition of theories of justice, yet at the same time, dismissed as too homogenising, abstract and rigid a criterion for political argument. We must retrieve the ideal of equality as a central political principle. In doing so, she casts doubt on the value of focussing on cultural difference, and rejects the idea of neutrality that dominates contemporary political philosophy in favour of a view of the state as enabling the betterment of its citizens.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Security, Development and Nation-Building in Timor-Leste by Christine Sypnowich
Cover of the book Elizabeth and Mary Tudor by Christine Sypnowich
Cover of the book The Science of Climbing and Mountaineering by Christine Sypnowich
Cover of the book Handbook Of Eyewitness Psychology 2 Volume Set by Christine Sypnowich
Cover of the book Compelled to Crime by Christine Sypnowich
Cover of the book The Making of the New Japan by Christine Sypnowich
Cover of the book Military Intelligence and the Arab Revolt by Christine Sypnowich
Cover of the book The Film Factory by Christine Sypnowich
Cover of the book The Practical Zone System for Film and Digital Photography by Christine Sypnowich
Cover of the book American Foreign Policy in a New Era by Christine Sypnowich
Cover of the book Agricultural Landscapes by Christine Sypnowich
Cover of the book Official Portraits and Unofficial Counterportraits of At Risk Students by Christine Sypnowich
Cover of the book Understanding, Defining and Eliminating Workplace Bullying by Christine Sypnowich
Cover of the book Sports Publicity by Christine Sypnowich
Cover of the book Sexual Identity on the Job by Christine Sypnowich
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy