Political Philosophy, Empathy and Political Justice

Matt Edge

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9781138017757
• eBook ISBN: 9781317701859
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: Political Philosophy
• Index: Politics & International Relations

In this work, Matt Edge offers an innovative approach to political philosophy. He invites the reader to consider the question of political justice from an empathic perspective - if you were asked to construct a theory of justice acceptable to members of a community you were not yourself a part of, how would you succeed in making your proposal acceptable? What tools would you rely on to construct such a theory, and why? Equally, what would make anyone qualified to write such a theory?

Using empathy, this remarkable, natural, tool human beings possess for making moral and ethical decisions, and, thereby, placing yourself as someone on the receiving end of the very theory of justice you yourself are constructing, what would you come up with? What set of alterable human structures and systems would you deem acceptable, were you to find yourself in the position of a citizen living under such structures?

Political Philosophy, Empathy and Political Justice offers a unique and compelling account of the type of free system required to pass an empathic examination at the heart of these, and related, questions, matters which define all human eras, in the constant search for political and social justice on our diverse planet.

‘Matt Edge’s Political Philosophy, Empathy and Political Justice is an important contribution to the growing body of literature on empathy and justice. Building on the works of John Rawls, Michael Slote and others, Edge develops an intriguing thought experiment – the empathy test – for generating an empathic theory of justice. He then shows how empathy can provide a bridge between ideal theory and practical affairs. Altogether, the book provides a wide‐ranging discussion of empathy and the role it can play in promoting equal concern and justice for all.’

Daniel Engster, The University of Texas at San Antonio

‘Edge’s style is informal and inviting. In an age when academic political discussion is largely dominated by various forms of liberalism and ethical rationalism, it is good to see a book that defends a crucial role for empathy in social justice.’

Michael Slote, University of Miami

‘Clearly written, original and concise, this book is a welcome addition to the growing body of work reminding us of the importance of empathy for a more ethical and compassionate world.’

Anthony Clohesy, University of Essex, UK

‘In Political Philosophy, Empathy and Political Justice, Matt Edge provides a compelling argument for placing the process of empathy at the heart of our understanding of justice. He masterfully synthesizes insights from philosophy, social psychology, political theory, neuroscience, history and (even) literature to make his case, his writing is accessible and transparent, and this work should interest both scholars and general readers. Even those who disagree with his particular theory of empathic justice will find absorbing ideas that should prod further reflection on what a just society requires.’

Michael E. Morrell, University of Connecticut

Political Philosophy, Empathy and Political Justice

In this work, Matt Edge offers an innovative approach to political philosophy. He invites the reader to consider the question of political justice from an empathic perspective – if you were asked to construct a theory of justice acceptable to members of a community you were not yourself a part of, how would you succeed in making your proposal acceptable? What tools would you rely on to construct such a theory, and why? Equally, what would make anyone qualified to write such a theory?

Using empathy, this remarkable, natural, tool human beings possess for making moral and ethical decisions, and, thereby, placing yourself as someone on the receiving end of the very theory of justice you yourself are constructing, what would you come up with? What set of alterable human structures and systems would you deem acceptable, were you to find yourself in the position of a citizen living under such structures?

Political Philosophy, Empathy and Political Justice offers a unique and compelling account of the type of free system required to pass an empathic examination at the heart of these, and related, questions, matters which define all human eras, in the constant search for political and social justice on our diverse planet.

Matt Edge is an independent researcher. His current research interests are the relationship between Rawls-style theories of justice and justice on the ‘front line’ of professional practice, in social work, policing and community care, theories of freedom, participatory democracy, psychological trauma, the philosophy of Davidson and Quine, and the theory and practice of empathy.

Routledge Innovations in Political Theory

1. 1 A Radical Green Political Theory
   Alan Carter
2. 2 Rational Woman
   A feminist critique of dualism
   Raia Prokhovnik
3. 3 Rethinking State Theory
   Mark J. Smith
4. 4 Gramsci and Contemporary Politics
   Beyond pessimism of the intellect
   Anne Showstack Sassoon
5. 5 Post-Ecologist Politics
   Social theory and the abdication of the ecologist paradigm
   Ingolfur Blühdorn
6. 6 Ecological Relations
   Susan Board
7. 7 The Political Theory of Global
   Citizenship
   April Carter
8. 8 Democracy and National
   Pluralism
   Edited by Ferran Requejo
9. 9 Civil Society and Democratic Theory
   Alternative voices
   Gideon Baker
10. 10 Ethics and Politics in Contemporary Theory
    Between critical theory and post-marxism
    Mark Devenney
11. 11 Citizenship and Identity
    Towards a new republic
    John Schwarzmantel
12. 12 Multiculturalism, Identity and Rights
    Edited by Bruce Haddock and Peter Sutch
13. 13 Political Theory of Global Justice
    A cosmopolitan case for the World State
    Luis Cabrera
14. 14 Democracy, Nationalism and Multiculturalism
    Edited by Ramón Maiz and Ferrán Requejo
15. 15 Political Reconciliation
    Andrew Schaap
16. 16 National Cultural Autonomy and Its Contemporary Critics
    Edited by Ephraim Nimni
17. 17 Power and Politics in Poststructuralist Thought
    New theories of the political
    Saul Newman
18. 18 Capabilities Equality
    Basic issues and problems
    Edited by Alexander Kaufman
19. 19 Morality and Nationalism
    Catherine Frost
20. 20 Principles and Political Order
    The challenge of diversity
    Edited by Bruce Haddock, Peri Roberts and Peter Sutch
21. 21 European Integration and the Nationalities Question
    Edited by John McGarry and Michael Keating
22. 22 Deliberation, Social Choice and Absolutist Democracy
    David van Mill
23. 23 Sexual Justice / Cultural Justice
    Critical perspectives in political theory and practice
    Edited by Barbara Arneil, Monique Deveaux, Rita Dhamoon and Avigail Eisenberg
24. 24 The International Political Thought of Carl Schmitt
    Terror, liberal war and the crisis of global order
    Edited by Louiza Odysseos and Fabio Petito
25. 25 In Defense of Human Rights
    A non-religious grounding in a pluralistic world
    Ari Kohen
26. 26 Logics of Critical Explanation in Social and Political Theory
    Jason Glynos and David Howarth
27. 27 Political Constructivism
    Peri Roberts
28. 28 The New Politics of Masculinity
    Men, power and resistance
    Fidelma Ashe
29. 29 Citizens and the State
    Attitudes in Western Europe and East and Southeast Asia
    Takashi Inoguchi and Jean Blondel
30. 30 Political Language and Metaphor
    Interpreting and changing the world
    Edited by Terrell Carver and Jernej Pikalo
31. 31 Political Pluralism and the State
    Beyond sovereignty
    Marcel Wissenburg
...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Frontmatter 1
• Half Title Page
• Frontmatter 1
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• Introduction
• 1 Empathy and Political Philosophy
• 2 Empathy
• 3 The Empathy Test
• 4 Radical Concern: Political Philosophy On Foot
• 5 Freedom and Empathy
• 6 A Theory of Freedom
• Conclusion
• Index