Deeper Foundations
(Vera Speaking)

 
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I think you're all wrong. Can't you see what's happened historically? The major schools of secular philosophy have blasted away at each other for a long time. There's nothing left standing. The criticisms of utilitarianism are devastating; but the criticisms of natural law, natural rights, and social contract theory are equally devastating. If we look only at the various theories of rights, it's clear that there is no agreement even among those who are most committed to natural rights.

Most philosophers - especially the academics who are locked into the traditions of their profession - are just plain stuck in the available ruts. What we need is a new paradigm. I'm not sure what it would be like; but it would probably be grounded more on basic human needs and the need for strong communities. In any case, it won't emerge from endless arguments between utilitarians and their natural rights opponents.

You've got to re-conceptualize or restate the problem of foundations for ethics and social philosophy in order to get beyond the traditional views. Frankly, I don't think male scholars can do it. I think the work will be done by feminist philosophers over the next 50 years. You heard it here first, guys!

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