Nussbaum’s piece “The Central Human Capabilities” seems to be largely inspired by Rawls work, which she refers to several times throughout this piece. Although, it makes reference to Rawls work a lot in this piece, it is still more concrete and somewhat less abstract than Rawls. One of the key arguments in this piece, however, seems to be based on the concept of capability versus functioning, whereas Rawls concept was based upon social equality through fairness.
Nussbaum tries to clearly illustrate the differences between capability and functioning. She describes functioning as what the person does based on descriptions she uses such as a female who can choose to function sexually versus one who can’t due to genital mutilation (Jacobus 219). This example illustrates how a female who hasn’t experience genital mutilation has the capability to function sexually, and if she does so that is how she chooses to function. However, she can also chose not to function sexually. Through examples like this Nussbaum is able to explain her idea of functioning.
She also uses this example of genital mutilation to explain the difference between capability and functioning. For instance a person who has experienced genital mutilation doesn’t have the capability to have sexual pleasure because she can’t function sexually. So this woman is denied that function because she is not capable. This differs from a woman who hasn’t experienced genital mutilation because although she may not chose to function sexually she has the capability.
So basically, the difference between capability and functioning is that capability means the ability to perform a function whereas functioning is the actually act of caring out that ability or not caring out that ability. These concepts of capability and functions seems to be the picture painted by Nussbaum.
Works Cited
Nussbaum, Martha C. “The Central Human Functional Capabilities.” A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers .Ed. Lee A Jacobus. 7th ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. pp.213-221.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Blog #8
“The Theory of Justice” by John Rawls has some very solid concepts and ideas. In this piece he states that he is trying to present a new concept of justice (Jacobus 199). I think the key to his concept of justice revolves around a contract which he talks about having two main parts. However, to understand the two main points I think it is important to have some idea of what his concept of “justice as fairness” is.
To me his idea of “justice as fairness” seems to be the understanding he discusses as being between free rational people in a society who set equality as a fundamental goal of that society (Jacobus 199). He believes that this understanding between the people should lead to a contract between them that is based on equality. I think one of the most intriguing things about his concept is the idea of the “veil of ignorance” (Jacobus 200). The veil of ignorance is basically a way to ensure that a person’s own biased views, status, opinion, etc. aren’t known to that person so that they can make choices that are not prejudice due to the fact they don’t know where they fall in society. This concept I believe actually allows for people to make decisions that are not selfish or self-motivated which in turn will probably lead to a society that is truly based on fairness. Since Rawls idea of justice is fairness, I think this “veil of ignorance” is key to seeing that concept become reality.
Rawls also goes on to say that if a society is based on fairness as justice and a contract between the free rational people of that society is made that those who are in the society should have no problem following the laws (Jacobus 200-201). I agree with this thought because if it is agreed that what is fair is just, then a person who agrees with the terms of the contract should have no problem following it because then the terms are just. So I think Rawls articulates his idea of “justice as fairness” through hypothetical situations rooted in equality through his concept of the “veil of ignorance.”
Works Cited
To me his idea of “justice as fairness” seems to be the understanding he discusses as being between free rational people in a society who set equality as a fundamental goal of that society (Jacobus 199). He believes that this understanding between the people should lead to a contract between them that is based on equality. I think one of the most intriguing things about his concept is the idea of the “veil of ignorance” (Jacobus 200). The veil of ignorance is basically a way to ensure that a person’s own biased views, status, opinion, etc. aren’t known to that person so that they can make choices that are not prejudice due to the fact they don’t know where they fall in society. This concept I believe actually allows for people to make decisions that are not selfish or self-motivated which in turn will probably lead to a society that is truly based on fairness. Since Rawls idea of justice is fairness, I think this “veil of ignorance” is key to seeing that concept become reality.
Rawls also goes on to say that if a society is based on fairness as justice and a contract between the free rational people of that society is made that those who are in the society should have no problem following the laws (Jacobus 200-201). I agree with this thought because if it is agreed that what is fair is just, then a person who agrees with the terms of the contract should have no problem following it because then the terms are just. So I think Rawls articulates his idea of “justice as fairness” through hypothetical situations rooted in equality through his concept of the “veil of ignorance.”
Works Cited
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Blog #7
In the selection “Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions” by Elizabeth Cady Stanton she addresses the wrongs against women in America in around the 19th century. As mentioned in the pre-reading the piece is greatly modeled after the declaration of independence. Due to the fact that it is modeled after the Declaration the list of what she feels are wrongs or unjust laws against women are easily spelled out.
On page 165, for instance, she starts the list of the wrongs against women in America. She expresses in this list how men have had power over women, in large part it suggests due to the fact that women are not allowed to vote. She specifically cites the fact that women did not have the unalienable right to vote, they were not represented in government, and that once married even more rights were denied to them (Jacobus 165). These among other things gave men power over women. Other examples of control over women was through education and work, in which Stanton discusses how women’s education was inferior to the men and how women were not allowed certain jobs which would allow them to become affluent (Jacobus 165). Another interesting use of control men had over women is through religion in which they did not allow women to participate in all matters of the church (Jacobus 165-166).
These are some of the things from the list Stanton made that particularly stood out to me as being ways that she claimed men had power over the women. I think that by putting it in the format of the Declaration of Independence she was better able to have an impact on her audience. Not only that, but she was able to clearly call attention to the wrongs that women were experiencing.
Works Cited
Cady Stanton, Elizabeth “Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions.” A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers .Ed. Lee A Jacobus. 7th ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. pp.164-168.
On page 165, for instance, she starts the list of the wrongs against women in America. She expresses in this list how men have had power over women, in large part it suggests due to the fact that women are not allowed to vote. She specifically cites the fact that women did not have the unalienable right to vote, they were not represented in government, and that once married even more rights were denied to them (Jacobus 165). These among other things gave men power over women. Other examples of control over women was through education and work, in which Stanton discusses how women’s education was inferior to the men and how women were not allowed certain jobs which would allow them to become affluent (Jacobus 165). Another interesting use of control men had over women is through religion in which they did not allow women to participate in all matters of the church (Jacobus 165-166).
These are some of the things from the list Stanton made that particularly stood out to me as being ways that she claimed men had power over the women. I think that by putting it in the format of the Declaration of Independence she was better able to have an impact on her audience. Not only that, but she was able to clearly call attention to the wrongs that women were experiencing.
Works Cited
Cady Stanton, Elizabeth “Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions.” A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers .Ed. Lee A Jacobus. 7th ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. pp.164-168.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Blog #6
Blog #6
In the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. he not only is able to justify his actions but also effectively communicate his reasons in a way that appeals to both logic and emotions. He is able to give ample references to his reasoning as support. He created pictures with his words, and more importantly I think he proved his case. This particular letter’s case was to bring light to the injustice in Birmingham, Georgia.
Of the many segregated states in the United States at the time Dr. King calls Birmingham the most segregated in the nation (Jacobus 175). He then spells out some of the injustices that took place in Birmingham such as unfair courts, brutality, and the unfair conditions that the African-American population experienced (Jacobus 175). A specific example of injustice that he makes reference to is the promise by store owners in Birmingham to integrate their businesses, a promise that was obviously broken by the white store owners (Jacobus 175). This is just one case of injustice he makes reference to early in the letter.
I think the most poignant illustration he makes of the injustices African-Americans were experiencing is not specifically talking about Birmingham, but probably rings true of it as well as in other places. It is a section in the letter where he is trying to break down the urgency of the nonviolent actions that has taken place by him and others in which he mentions how injustice has affected the community. In this section he talks about the lynching, deaths, brutality, humiliation, degradation, separation, and conditions that the African-American community have endured for far too long all cases of injustice (Jacobus 177,178). The injustices he talks about in this section probably are also injustices that rung true for Birmingham.
So when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. went to Birmingham he probably heard, seen, and possibly experienced such injustice himself as seen with the nonviolent protest. This letter was a way of addressing those who failed to see the timeliness and wise ness of the protest as they put it, but I think that this letter was able to help clarify both for them (Jacobus 173).
Works Cited
King Jr., Dr. Martin Luther “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers .Ed. Lee A Jacobus. 7th ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. pp.173-189.
Of the many segregated states in the United States at the time Dr. King calls Birmingham the most segregated in the nation (Jacobus 175). He then spells out some of the injustices that took place in Birmingham such as unfair courts, brutality, and the unfair conditions that the African-American population experienced (Jacobus 175). A specific example of injustice that he makes reference to is the promise by store owners in Birmingham to integrate their businesses, a promise that was obviously broken by the white store owners (Jacobus 175). This is just one case of injustice he makes reference to early in the letter.
I think the most poignant illustration he makes of the injustices African-Americans were experiencing is not specifically talking about Birmingham, but probably rings true of it as well as in other places. It is a section in the letter where he is trying to break down the urgency of the nonviolent actions that has taken place by him and others in which he mentions how injustice has affected the community. In this section he talks about the lynching, deaths, brutality, humiliation, degradation, separation, and conditions that the African-American community have endured for far too long all cases of injustice (Jacobus 177,178). The injustices he talks about in this section probably are also injustices that rung true for Birmingham.
So when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. went to Birmingham he probably heard, seen, and possibly experienced such injustice himself as seen with the nonviolent protest. This letter was a way of addressing those who failed to see the timeliness and wise ness of the protest as they put it, but I think that this letter was able to help clarify both for them (Jacobus 173).
Works Cited
King Jr., Dr. Martin Luther “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers .Ed. Lee A Jacobus. 7th ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. pp.173-189.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Blog #5
In the selection “Civil Disobedience” by Henry Thoreau he expresses his opinions on the government. This particular selection was not the easiest read in the world but within it Thoreau establishes what he considers the governments role to be, what type of government he thinks is best, and how the government should be treated in his opinion. He also makes a lot of references to others in his piece to support his views, although I do not particularly support his stance on everything.
For instance, one of the things Thoreau makes extremely clear in this piece is what he feels is the individual’s responsibility regarding supporting the government when it is doing wrong. Throughout the piece he expresses how he feels that a government who is doing wrong should not be respected by the people. At one point of the speech he even suggests a revolution when the government is unjust saying “that it is not too soon for honest men to rebel and revolutionize” (Jacobus 140). This line suggests that he believes that a revolution should occur if the government gets out of control. On page 143 there is an even better quote spelling out the responsibilities of individual’s to an unjust government:
It is not a man’s duty, as a matter of course, to devote himself to the eradiation of
any, even the most enormous wrong; he may still properly have other concerns to
engage him; but it is his duty, at least, to wash his hands of it and, if he give it no
thought longer, not to give it practically his support. (Jacobus 143)
I think the aforementioned quote says it all. He basically states here that he believes it is the individual’s duty not support an unjust government and to do this they must wash their hands of it or engage in it. He puts his beliefs into action later on as we can see when he talks about being put in jail for not paying taxes to fund a war he did not support.
For instance, one of the things Thoreau makes extremely clear in this piece is what he feels is the individual’s responsibility regarding supporting the government when it is doing wrong. Throughout the piece he expresses how he feels that a government who is doing wrong should not be respected by the people. At one point of the speech he even suggests a revolution when the government is unjust saying “that it is not too soon for honest men to rebel and revolutionize” (Jacobus 140). This line suggests that he believes that a revolution should occur if the government gets out of control. On page 143 there is an even better quote spelling out the responsibilities of individual’s to an unjust government:
It is not a man’s duty, as a matter of course, to devote himself to the eradiation of
any, even the most enormous wrong; he may still properly have other concerns to
engage him; but it is his duty, at least, to wash his hands of it and, if he give it no
thought longer, not to give it practically his support. (Jacobus 143)
I think the aforementioned quote says it all. He basically states here that he believes it is the individual’s duty not support an unjust government and to do this they must wash their hands of it or engage in it. He puts his beliefs into action later on as we can see when he talks about being put in jail for not paying taxes to fund a war he did not support.
Works Cited
Thoreau, Henry David. “Civil Disobedience.” A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers .Ed. Lee A Jacobus. 7th ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. pp.137-157.
Thoreau, Henry David. “Civil Disobedience.” A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers .Ed. Lee A Jacobus. 7th ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. pp.137-157.
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