Equal Justice (Clarendon Paperbacks)

Equal Justice (Clarendon Paperbacks)

The core of this book is a novel theory of distributive justice premised on the fundamental moral equality of persons. In the light of this theory, Rakowski considers three types of problems which urgently require solutions--the distribution of resources, property rights, and the saving of life--and provides challenging and unconventional answers. Further, he criticizes the economic analysis of law as a normative theory, and develops an alternative account of tort and property law.Review`A provocative, well-argued, elegantly written book that will root out any complacency that a reader might have had about these eternal issues on starting it.' Howard Davies, Times Higher Education Supplement`[Rakowski's] account of an egalitarian conception of distributive justice in this outstanding book ranks alongside the pioneering work recently done in this area by writers such as John Rawls and Ronald Dworkin ... his sophisticated and humane account of justice is among the most powerful and persuasive I have read ... This is a book that deserves to be-and no doubt will be-taken very seriously indeed.' Roger Crisp, Journal of Medical Ethics'It is an ambitious and demanding book that repays close reading.' H.A. Bedau, Tufts University, Review of Metaphysics, Dec '93'Equal Justice is an exceptionally complex work ... not only does it cover a great deal of territory; not only does it range from the very abstract to the very concrete; but it is also rich in analytic detail. It is filled with subtle, ramifying arguments; Rakowski presents them carefully and is meticulous in explaining their implications ... this is one of the most original theories of justice to have been proposed in recent years, and it raises the questions that deserve careful analysis ... a rich array of arguments and insights; a deepening of our understanding of the ethics of health care; perceptive analyses of tort law, insurance schemes, and the rights of animals; and one of the finest discussions in recent years of saving and taking life - all presented in philosophical prose that is a model of clarity and precision.' William Ewald, University of California, Berkeley, California Law Review, Vol. 82:231, 1994`Rakowski's Equal Justice is an exciting addition to the recent literature on justice ... One of the most refreshing aspects of this book is the application Rakowski makes of his theoretical framework to practical problems.' Political Studies`Itis an excellent work of political philosophy: it is comprehensive and full of ingenious and imaginative arguments amd counter-arguments.' UtilitasFrom the Back CoverThis book sets forth a novel theory of distribute justice premised on the fundamental moral equality of persons. It argues that, subject to certain limitations on personal sacrifice, no one should have less valuable resources and opportunities available to him than anyone else, simply in virtue of some chance occurrence the risk of which he did not choose to incur. Applying this principle to the distribution of wealth and income, the specification of property rights, and the allocation of scarce medical resources, Professor Rakowski reaches challenging, often unconventional, conclusions. He further criticizes the economic analysis of law as a normative theory, and develops an alternative account of tort law.About the AuthorEric Rakowski, Acting Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley.