Justification and Justice: Rawls, Quine and Ethics as Science

Vol 19, No 1 (2015) • Principia: an international journal of epistemology

Autor: Diana Taschetto

Abstract:

The relationship between Rawls’s theory of justice and Quine’s philosophy constitute an almost entirely new topic of discussion. The analysis undertaken in this article aims to show that some fundamental epistemological traits of Rawls’s theory of justice may be causally explained by referring to Quine’s influence on him. Rawls’s assumptions, methods of theory-building and evaluation criteria are addressed and a close nexus between the methods of ethics and natural science is made explicit. In the light of the historical and epistemological analysis presented in this article it may be argued that Rawls’s theory of justice as fairness satisfies scientific requirements of evidence and objectivity within the sphere of ethics to the extent it is constructed and justified in accordance to Quine’s epistemology.

ISSN: 1414-4217

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1808-1711.2015v19n1p147

Texto Completo: https://periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/principia/article/view/1808-1711.2015v19n1p147/30581

Palavras-Chave: Ethics,Epistemology,Scientific Method,Holism,

Principia: an international journal of epistemology

"PRINCIPIA
"Principia: an international journal of epistemology" was founded in 1997 and regularly publishes articles, discussions and review. The journal aims to publish original scholarly work especially in epistemology area , with an emphasis on material of general interest to academic philosophers. Originally published only in print version (ISSN: 1414-4247), in 2005 the journal began to be published also in online version (ISSN: 1808-1711). Since 1999 are published three issues per year: in April, August and December. Qualis CAPES: A2