Assessing Ideal Theories: Lessons from the Theory of Second Best
Politics, Philosophy, and Economics 15 (2):132-149 (2016)
Abstract
Numerous philosophers allege that the "general theory of second best" (Lipsey and Lancaster, 1956) poses a challenge to the Target View, which asserts that real world reform efforts should aim to establish arrangements that satisfy the constitutive features of ideal just states of affairs. I demonstrate two claims that are relevant in this context. First, I show that the theory of second best fails to present a compelling challenge to the Target View in general. But, second, the theory of second best requires ideal theorists to undertake certain kinds of causal and comparative analyses that are typically thought to lie beyond the borders of conventional ideal theory.Author's Profile
DOI
10.1177/1470594x15620343
My notes
Similar books and articles
Tragedies of non-ideal theory.Robert Jubb - 2012 - European Journal of Political Theory 11 (3):229-246.
Three Failed Charges against Ideal Theory.Eva Erman & Niklas Möller - 2013 - Social Theory and Practice 39 (1):19-44.
A pragmatic analysis of idealizations in physics.William F. Barr - 1974 - Philosophy of Science 41 (1):48-64.
Prescribing Institutions Without Ideal Theory.David Wiens - 2012 - Journal of Political Philosophy 20 (1):45-70.
Realistic Decision Theory: Rules for Nonideal Agents in Nonideal Circumstances.Paul Weirich - 2004 - Oxford, England: Oup Usa.
Achieving Global Justice: Why Failures Matter More Than Ideals.David Wiens - 2015 - In Kate Brennan (ed.), Making Global Institutions Work: Power, Accountability and Change. Routledge.
The ideal and non-ideal in behavior guidance: Reflections on law and Buddhism in conversation with the Dalai Lama.Kenneth M. Ehrenberg - 2007 - Buffalo Law Review 55:675-679.
A syntactic and semantic analysis of idealizations in science.William F. Barr - 1971 - Philosophy of Science 38 (2):258-272.
Feasibility Constraints for Political Theories.Holly Lawford-Smith - 2010 - Dissertation, Australian National University
Analytics
Added to PP
2012-11-21
Downloads
1,030 (#6,980)
6 months
28 (#43,867)
2012-11-21
Downloads
1,030 (#6,980)
6 months
28 (#43,867)
Historical graph of downloads
Author's Profile
Citations of this work
The General Theory of Second Best Is More General Than You Think.David Wiens - 2020 - Philosophers' Imprint 20 (5):1-26.
Does Regulating Hate Speech Undermine Democratic Legitimacy? A Cautious ‘No’.Andrew Reid - 2020 - Res Publica 26 (2):181-199.
How Do You Like Your Justice, Bent or Unbent?Lars Moen - forthcoming - Moral Philosophy and Politics.
References found in this work
Democratic Authority: A Philosophical Framework.David M. Estlund - 2008 - Princeton University Press.
Ideal vs. Non‐ideal Theory: A Conceptual Map.Laura Valentini - 2012 - Philosophy Compass 7 (9):654-664.