This paper addresses the mere addition paradox, as outlined in Derek Parfit’s Reasons and Persons (1984). The predicament centers around the fallacious “Repugnant Conclusion” that prevents utilitarian social theorists from discovering a consistent theory of utility distribution. After reviewing how philosophers arrive at the Repugnant Conclusion, this article explores the logical methods to interpret Parfit’s work and the central dilemmas of population ethics.
Coming Soon…
My recent exploration of radical philosophers has brought me to the work of Emma Goldman; the influential anarchist writer who inspired a generation of radicals to reject hierarchical economic and governmental power structures. This article examines her fascinating autobiography, alongside the controversial legacy she left behind.
This article analyzes the perspective and values of Howard Zinn, specifically in his acclaimed work, A People’s History of the United States (1980). By studying his narrative of American history, we can learn more about the process of studying “history from below” in a nation plagued with clashing histories and narratives.
This article briefly explores Max Weber’s famous work ‘The Protestant Work Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism’ (1905), which describes the immense influence of rationalized religious beliefs (specifically those which arose from the Protestant Reformation) in creating the social conditions necessary for modern capitalism to develop.
