If you combine my comments about due process and equal protection with my
earlier comments about the impossibility of interpersonal comparisons of
utility functions, then the "Singer-like" counter argument which Peckitt
(very ably, let me add) presents fails. (The "Singer-like" fails, not
Peckitt.).....David
On Fri, 3 Sep 1999, Michael Peckitt wrote:
> >From: David Pfeiffer <[log in to unmask]>
> >Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: Re: Peter Singer
> >Date: Fri, 3 Sep 1999 10:25:43 -1000
> >
> >Erik suggests that we have no alternatives to Singer's argument nor to
> >Sanctity of Life ethics. But we have. For many years I have put forth (and
> >Ron Amundson recently did in this discussion) that we have a basis for an
> >arguement which encompases equal protection and due process. (Ron did not
> >use the due process part.) In other words, we and all people have the
> >right to be treated as other people (equal protection) and the right to be
> >treated fairly (due process). These rights are well articulated in
> >political theory and elsewhere and are quite powerful.....David
>
> If I may Devil's Advocate the a minute here, I think I can give a kind of
> counterargument Singer would:-
>
> Equal protection seems to imply some Social Contract Theory or some
> variation like that of Rawls or Norman. In SCT members of society are
> aware of its rules the most important rule being to harm others. If any
> breaks the rules the risk revenge be exacted upon them because they have
> broken the rules.
>
> However Singer would argue that since some people with disabilities cannot
> understand the world around them, they could therefore neither understand
> the rules - his famous human/person disctinction. It would therefore be
> unfair on those who did undertsand them and were "rule-abiding" citizens,
> and on the disabled person themselves since they would be punished so often.
>
> Personaly I like SCT and the concept of equal protection, but I believe that
> is the type of response Singer would give.
>
> Michael
>
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David Pfeiffer, Ph.D.
Resident Scholar
Center on Disability Studies
University of Hawai`i at Manoa
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Center on Disability Studies....maximizing individual
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