Friday, 10/16

Today's Goals:

• Understand John Rawls' Philosophy of "Justice as Fairness" and the ideas of the veil of ignorance, the difference principle, the equality principle and the  liberty principle and moral arbitrariness

Starter #27
1.Do you believe that your achievements in life are due exclusively to your hard work alone and within your control? Why or why not?

2. According to philosopher John Rawls, it’s not fair if the children of poor parents have much lower prospects in life than the children of rich parents simply because of the family they were born into; therefore, steep inheritance taxes are justified.
That means that those who were born to rich parents should pay a tax to help the government redistribute their wealth to those who are not?
Do you agree?  Why or why not? 

Agenda
1. With a partner:  Discuss your starter responses
Then, discuss this quote that explains Rawls' "Difference Principle": What does it mean and how does it apply to the starter?
"Those who have been favored by nature may gain from their fortune only on terms that improve the situation of those who have lost out"- Rawls

2. Study group on chapter 3 

3. The following should be done IN YOUR STARTERS:
React to THIS ARTICLE: "The Government is Literally Going to Make America Stupid by Starving the Poor":

• Briefly summarize the thesis (main argument) of this article
• React to the ideas here: Think critically! Do you agree? Do you disagree? How do the moral philosophies we've studied help inform your understanding of this article? What would a Libertarian reply in response to this author's perspective? What would John Rawls say? What would Jeremy Bentham say? What would J.S. Mill say?
• Feel free to discuss with your study group afterwards

4. Time to read chapter 6 pages 140-142, 151-159  (that's for Monday)  and pages 103-124 of Chapter 5 (for Tuesday)