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Philosophy Colloquium - Dan Hausman

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Philosophy Colloquium - Dan Hausman

Philosophy Friday, May 3, 2024 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Skinner Building, 1115

Title: What’s wrong with some having more than others?

Abstract: According to Derek Parfit, "telic" egalitarians accept "The Principle of Equality," which says, "It is in itself bad if some people are worse off than others" (1991, p. 4). This essay argues that there is no good reason to believe this principle and considerable reason to doubt it. Either egalitarianism is groundless, or this principle misconstrues egalitarianism. The latter is my view. The essay criticizes the main arguments in defense of the principle of equality and offers an explanation why so many mistakenly believe that distributional inequalities are bad.  
 

Add to Calendar 05/03/24 3:00 PM 05/03/24 5:00 PM America/New_York Philosophy Colloquium - Dan Hausman

Title: What’s wrong with some having more than others?

Abstract: According to Derek Parfit, "telic" egalitarians accept "The Principle of Equality," which says, "It is in itself bad if some people are worse off than others" (1991, p. 4). This essay argues that there is no good reason to believe this principle and considerable reason to doubt it. Either egalitarianism is groundless, or this principle misconstrues egalitarianism. The latter is my view. The essay criticizes the main arguments in defense of the principle of equality and offers an explanation why so many mistakenly believe that distributional inequalities are bad.  
 

 Skinner Building