http://willwilkinson.disqus.com/The Sweet Release of ReasonenWed, 09 Apr 2008 03:03:02 -0000http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2008/04/08/the-rawls-in-rawlsekianism/#comment-3712754any comments on<br><br><a href="http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/04/acknowledging-p.html" rel="nofollow">http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily...</a><br><br>or <br><br><a href="http://www.gladwell.com/2006/2006_02_13_a_murray.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.gladwell.com/2006/2006_02_13_a_murra...</a><br><br>?gloryWed, 09 Apr 2008 03:03:02 -0000http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2008/04/08/the-rawls-in-rawlsekianism/#comment-3712753"Rawlsekianism" is ok, I guess, but I think it would sound better as "Hayewlsianity". Let's get that one going instead.Greg NewburnTue, 08 Apr 2008 20:24:39 -0000http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2008/04/08/the-rawls-in-rawlsekianism/#comment-3712752The maxi-min principle is a good starting point, since, as you say, it shifts our focus away from inequality and moves it to a general concern for helping the worst off. <br><br>Rabid egalitarians--G.A. Cohen, Larry Temkin--generally bite the bullet and reject Rawls and accept the conclusion of the "Leveling Down Objection". They would prefer a world where all are poor rather than only some, since for them there is some "intrinsic", infinite value in equality. <br><br>Anyhow, two quesitons: the maxi-min principle has its virtues, but don't you think it overlooks the importance of numbers? If some distribution in the Rawlsian sense gave enormous benefits to a great, great many, while leaving a small few in poor conditions, wouldn't that be better than one where every one is poor? Or slightly better than poor? <br><br>Second: given your Rawlsian inclination, why do you think he came to different conclusions than you? Was his theoretical Rawlsianism better than his applied? Why do all his disciples--Van Parijs, Josh Cohen, Sam Freeman, Korsgaard, Scanlon, Pogge, Nagel, Dworkin--all of them disagree with your applied Rawlsianism?Rue Des Quatre VentsTue, 08 Apr 2008 13:09:12 -0000