Nagel's `Paradox' of Equality and Partiality |
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Authors: | Thomas Alan |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Philosophy, University of Kent at Canterbury, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NF, UK |
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Abstract: | Thomas Nagel has argued that we are theoretically committed to both ethical pluralism and liberal egalitarianism in a way
that seems plausible but that the combination leads through time to a deep-seated incoherence within our own moral and political
outlook.This paper critically examines Nagel’s arguments for this conclusion. The paradox is centrally generated by the dual
role of the impartial perspective in Nagel’s argument. This dual role is analysed and rejected as based on a mistake about
objectification, such that there is no conflict between the personal and impersonal point of view of the kind Nagel describes.
His insightful account of the prospects for egalitarianism is, further, hindered by his account of the internal division of
the self. A positive proposal is made for a feasible egalitarian ideal that overcomes such a dichotomy within the self in
the context of civil society.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | agent-relativity citizenship contractualism egalitarianism legitimacy partiality |
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