The characteristic features of clear argumentation and careful scholarship that have been hallmarks of the philosophy of A. John Simmons are everywhere evident in this collection. The essays focus on the problems of political obligation and state legitimacy as well as on historical theories of property and justice. Cumulatively the collection presents a distinctive social and political philosophy, exploring the nature of our most fundamental rights and obligations, and displaying the power and plausibility of Lockean ideal theory.
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"...there is no question that this is an extraordinarily fine collection of essays. Whatever one thinks of the Lockean approach, every political theorist should read this book; it is clearly written, tightly argued, and concerns core issues in political philosophy. In short, it is a model of how political philosophy should be done." Ethics
Book Description
The characteristic features of clear argumentation and careful scholarship that have been hallmarks of the philosophy of A. John Simmons are everywhere evident in this collection. The essays focus on the problems of political obligation and state legitimacy as well as on historical theories of property and justice. Cumulatively the collection presents a distinctive social and political philosophy, exploring the nature of our most fundamental rights and obligations, and displaying the power and plausibility of Lockean ideal theory.
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The traditional consent theory account of political obligation can be understood as advancing two basic claims. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The traditional consent theory account of political obligation can be understood as advancing two basic claims. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
A. John Simmons recent work Justification and Legitimacy is an excellent introduction to his thought. It both clarifies and extends many of his views, particularly his arguments against the idea of political obligation, in an admirably lucid fashion. This is a fine book, well written and well reasoned. Philosophy should always be that, and Simmons does not disappoint. His criticisms have bite even if they are at times a bit misguided.
His criticisms of Ronald Dworkin are particularly irritating. He criticizes Dworkin for developing a theory which excludes the anarchist position on political obligation, while at the same time being unwilling to meet Dworkin's argument on it's own interpretivist ground. In other words, Simmons does precisely the same thing he accuses Dworkin of doing. What's worse Simmons does this with little argument on his part.
In itself, this is not a strong objection to Simmons book. It does, however, suggest that there are basic problems with Simmons's approach, namely, you end up having to accept his argument without understanding the type of argument that Dworkin's making. Regardless, this is a good book which makes a valuable contribution to political thought.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Anarchists and interpretive problems
July 1 2001
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
A. John Simmons recent work Justification and Legitimacy is an excellent introduction to his thought. It both clarifies and extends many of his views, particularly his arguments against the idea of political obligation, in an admirably lucid fashion. This is a fine book, well written and well reasoned. Philosophy should always be that, and Simmons does not disappoint. His criticisms have bite even if they are at times a bit misguided.
His criticisms of Ronald Dworkin are particularly irritating. He criticizes Dworkin for developing a theory which excludes the anarchist position on political obligation, while at the same time being unwilling to meet Dworkin's argument on it's own interpretivist ground. In other words, Simmons does precisely the same thing he accuses Dworkin of doing. What's worse Simmons does this with little argument on his part.
In itself, this is not a strong objection to Simmons book. It does, however, suggest that there are basic problems with Simmons's approach, namely, you end up having to accept his argument without understanding the type of argument that Dworkin's making. Regardless, this is a good book which makes a valuable contribution to political thought.
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