Graduation Year
2016
Date of Submission
12-2015
Document Type
Campus Only Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)
Second Department
Philosophy
Reader 1
Paul Hurley
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2015 Clay W. Spence
Abstract
In this thesis I establish a hitherto unseen parallel between John Rawls’ theory of justice and utilitarian accounts with respect to population ethics; I argue that the absurd conclusions which plague utilitarianism also plague Rawls’ theory. These are the repugnant and preposterous conclusions. I then argue that Kant's political philosophy offers the resources to escape these absurd conclusions because of a crucial metaphysical difference between theories governed by outcome-oriented considerations and those governed by freedom-oriented constraints.
Recommended Citation
Spence, Clay W., "Population Ethics: A Metaethical Comparison" (2016). CMC Senior Theses. 1268.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/1268
This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.
