Date of Award

5-8-2009

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Philosophy

First Advisor

Andrew Jason Cohen - Co-Chair

Second Advisor

Christie Hartley - Co-Chair

Third Advisor

Andrew I. Cohen

Abstract

I explore the problem of using primary goods as the index for determining the least-advantaged members in a society in Rawls’s theory of justice. I look at the problems presented to Rawls by Amartya Sen and his capabilities approach. I discuss the solutions to Sen’s problems given by Norman Daniels, who argues that primary goods are able to take capabilities into account. Finally, I supplement Daniels, arguing that the parameters Rawls uses to define his theory limit Sen’s objection and that primary goods are the appropriate metric of justice in Rawls’s theory.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/1059788

Included in

Philosophy Commons

Share

COinS