Designing Realistic Utopia - Ideal Theory in Practical Political Philosophy

Building on the work of John Rawls, this book offers a conception of ideal theory which provides practical guidance and a critical perspective on politics, institutions and society. The author develops this approach by discussing recent criticism of ideal theory by authors such as Amartya Sen and Raymond Geuss. Answering Sen's criticism, the author proposes a novel account of feasibility in relation to ideal theory, especially with regard to ideal institutional design. As a reply to Geuss' criticism, he discusses constructivist approaches of moral theory-building. Building on this discussion, the book develops an account of practical ideal-theoretical thinking that can be used for evaluating and criticizing societies and can guide institutional design under nonideal conditions.

Summary

Building on the work of John Rawls, this book offers a conception of ideal theory which provides practical guidance and a critical perspective on politics, institutions and society. The author develops this approach by discussing recent criticism of ideal theory by authors such as Amartya Sen and Raymond Geuss. Answering Sen’s criticism, the author proposes a novel account of feasibility in relation to ideal theory, especially with regard to ideal institutional design. As a reply to Geuss’ criticism, he discusses constructivist approaches of moral theory-building. Building on this discussion, the book develops an account of practical ideal–theoretical thinking that can be used for evaluating and criticizing societies and can guide institutional design under nonideal conditions.

Product details

• Authors: Jürgen Sirsch
• Publisher: Nomos
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.11.2020
• EAN: 9783848778027
• ISBN: 978-3-8487-7802-7
• No. of pages: 274
• Dimensions: 156 mm x 16 mm x 228 mm
• Weight: 406 g
• Series: Schriftenreihe der Sektion Politische Theorien und Ideengeschichte; Schriftenreihe der Sektion Politische Theorie und Ideengeschichte in der DVPW | Studies in Political Theory; Schriftenreihe der Sektion Politische Theorien und Ideengeschichte in der Deutschen Vereinigung für Politische Wissenschaft
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political theories and the history of ideas; Politische Philosophie, Gerechtigkeit, Utopie, Politik, Soziale und politische Philosophie, NG-Rabatt, Amartya Sen, John Rawls, justice, Theory of Justice, Constructivism, Ideale Theorie, Ideal Theory, Feasibility, normative theory, clinical theory, Ideal Guidance Approach, Moral Constructivism, Raymond Geuss, non-ideal theory, Normative Institutional Design