Formal Theories and Formal Measures of Specific Freedoms
Author(s)
Zaitchik, Alan
Abstract
There is a long philosophical tradition dating back to Aristotle according to which considerations of personal desert or merit are crucial, indeed decisive, in any discussions of distributive justice. Many philosophers have disputed this claim, holding instead that desert, as opposed to entitlement, has no role to play in the theory of distributive justice. Whether they are right or wrong – Zaitchik has argued elsewhere that they are wrong – the “anti desert argument” is an interesting one that warrants careful consideration. It is the subject of the present essay.
