Justice

Retribution

distribution

“Rats and roaches live by competition under the laws of supply and demand; it is the privilege of human beings to live under the laws of justice and mercy.”

― Wendell Berry

The Liberal Tradition

Libertarians Key value – Freedom as

personal liberty to do as one pleases

Want a minimal government with power limited to courts, police, and military

Oppose any income tax, except, perhaps, a minimal

flat tax for the minimal government

Progressives Key value – Freedom as

equality of opportunity and quality of living

Want a welfare state that makes sure no one falls below a certain basic standard of living

Favor a progressive tax system in which the wealthy pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes

Two Views of Freedom

LibertariansFreedom = being left alone to

do what I want (negative

freedom)

ProgressivesFreedom = having the obstacles

that keep me from living fully removed (Positive Freedom)

Nozick's argument for Libertarianism P1: We own ourselvesP2: If we own ourselves, then we own the work we doP3: if we own the work we do, then we own our wagesP4: If Uncle Sam taxes our wages, then he takes them from us by forceP5: If he takes our wages by force then he claims to own us.P6: If anyone claims to own part of me, he is unjust toward me____________________________C: Income tax is unjust

Rawls' argument for Progressivism Rawls counters that the amount of

money that someone earns is arbitrary. How much money we earn depends on a combination of our natural talents (which we are not responsible for) and the things society happens to value (which we are also not responsible for); not primarily how hard we work. It follows that we do not morally deserve our salary and, thus, we cannot complain if the state taxes us to fund essential public services and programs.

The Original Position

The Veil of Ignorance

We Would not choose

1. Communism 2. Utilitarianism

Two Principles of Justice

1. The Principle of Equal Liberty

2. The Difference Principle Wins if they conflict