A Perfectionist Theory of Justice

This book makes a significant contribution to one of the most persistent debates in contemporary political philosophy: that between liberals and perfectionists.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 23 August 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Many liberal political philosophers argue that the state should not impose or promote any particular conception of the good life or human flourishing. The state should not enact laws and policies designed to elevate citizens' tastes, refine their sensibilities, or perfect their characters. Instead, the state should restrict itself to maintaining a fair framework of rights and opportunities within which all citizens can pursue their beliefs about what constitutes a good life.

Against this backdrop, Collis Tahzib develops a version of perfectionist political philosophy. Whereas previous perfectionists have argued that the promotion of flourishing ways of life is permissible or legitimate, Tahzib casts perfectionism as a doctrine of justice. On this view, the implementation of laws and policies designed to promote sound ideals of the good life, such as moral, intellectual, and artistic excellence, is not merely a legitimate complement to justice but an essential constituent of justice.

Over the years, perfectionism has faced various objections. These objections include that it is premised on values and judgements that are controversial within modern pluralistic societies; that it is unduly restrictive of freedom or autonomy; that it treats citizens as if they are children, unable to run their own lives; that it expresses the meddlesome mentality of a village busybody; that it mistakenly assumes that there are objective truths about human flourishing; and that it risks the abuse of power by incompetent, overzealous, or corrupt state officials.

These ideas represent some of the deepest, most vibrant, and most powerful strains in liberal thought. In defending perfectionism against these charges, the arguments in A Perfectionist Theory of Justice make a novel and important contribution.

Tahzib argues that perfectionism is not a moralistic or utopian philosophy but a practical and pragmatic one. He rejects the idea that the state can promote flourishing ways of life by imposing its values on citizens or by restricting their freedom. Instead, he argues that the state should create a fair framework of rights and opportunities within which citizens can pursue their own beliefs about what constitutes a good life.

Tahzib also argues that perfectionism is not a threat to individual freedom or autonomy but a means of promoting it. He rejects the idea that the state can promote flourishing ways of life by restricting individual freedom or autonomy. Instead, he argues that the state should create a fair framework of rights and opportunities within which citizens can pursue their own beliefs about what constitutes a good life.

Tahzib also argues that perfectionism is not a threat to democracy but a means of promoting it. He rejects the idea that the state can promote flourishing ways of life by restricting individual freedom or autonomy. Instead, he argues that the state should create a fair framework of rights and opportunities within which citizens can pursue their own beliefs about what constitutes a good life.

Tahzib also argues that perfectionism is not a threat to social stability but a means of promoting it. He rejects the idea that the state can promote flourishing ways of life by restricting individual freedom or autonomy. Instead, he argues that the state should create a fair framework of rights and opportunities within which citizens can pursue their own beliefs about what constitutes a good life.

Tahzib also argues that perfectionism is not a threat to human flourishing but a means of promoting it. He rejects the idea that the state can promote flourishing ways of life by restricting individual freedom or autonomy. Instead, he argues that the state should create a fair framework of rights and opportunities within which citizens can pursue their own beliefs about what constitutes a good life.

In conclusion, many liberal political philosophers argue that the state should not impose or promote any particular conception of the good life or human flourishing. Collis Tahzib develops a version of perfectionist political philosophy that casts perfectionism as a doctrine of justice. He argues that the state should create a fair framework of rights and opportunities within which citizens can pursue their own beliefs about what constitutes a good life. Tahzib's arguments are novel and important and make a significant contribution to liberal thought.

Weight: 704g
Dimension: 240 x 162 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192847119