In Singer's reading, one of his base ideas conveys the assertion that a society with a common conception of justice does not require civil disobedience, because if that society did indeed have that common conception, nothing would need to be brought to it's attention. My question is, can that common conception change?
Firstly, a common conception is by definition a common thought process or belief held by a large majority of the people of a certain society; hence, a common conception. Furthermore, if the people in such a society are the ones that create such a common conception, then couldn't that common conception change with the addition or subtraction of persons? Or, for instance, a scientific paradigm shift?
I think it could. In the case of a paradigm shift, however, that leads to the question of whether, in a society where everyone is synchronised enough to have a common conception of justice, the conception would then change for everyone at once, or only bit by bit.
ReplyDeleteCan the common conception of justice change? Absolutely. John Rawls would argue that the common conception of justice is something that can change over time according to public reason. He would also suggest that people are getting more reasonable as we move forward through time.
ReplyDeleteAs far as change occurring through a paradigm shift, I think this would be difficult if, as JonDavid said, "everyone is synchronized enough to have a common conception of justice." If there were a paradigm shift in this sort of society, I do believe that it would be a slow shift for the people to change their conception of justice.
How's that "getting more reasonable moving forward through time" working out for him these days?
ReplyDeleteI believe that a common conception amongst a society can change over time with the presence of civil disobedience. However, I don't believe that it completely changes, although a common conception is to be shared amongst the majority, i don't think this is what occurs. A society makes adjusts to issues based on there severity and publicity. If a problem goes unheard or isn't spoken for how can someone know its actual importance? CIvil Disobedience is needed because it is possible for everyone to have the same mindset change would never occur without it.
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