Just hierarchy : why social hierarchies matter in china and the rest of the world / Daniel A. Bell.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bell, Daniel (Daniel A.), 1964- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Hierarchies.

Social groups.

Genre:

Informational works.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (297 pages)

Place of Publication:

Princeton ; Oxford : Princeton University Press, [2022]

Summary:

A trenchant defense of hierarchy in different spheres of our lives, from the personal to the politicalAll complex and large-scale societies are organized along certain hierarchies, but the concept of hierarchy has become almost taboo in the modern world. Just Hierarchy contends that this stigma is a mistake. In fact, as Daniel Bell and Wang Pei show, it is neither possible nor advisable to do away with social hierarchies. Drawing their arguments from Chinese thought and culture as well as other philosophies and traditions, Bell and Wang ask which forms of hierarchy are justified and how these can serve morally desirable goals. They look at ways of promoting just forms of hierarchy while minimizing the influence of unjust ones, such as those based on race, sex, or caste.Which hierarchical relations are morally justified and why? Bell and Wang argue that it depends on the nature of the social relation and context. Different hierarchical principles ought to govern different kinds of social relations: what justifies hierarchy among intimates is different from what justifies hierarchy among citizens, countries, humans and animals, and humans and intelligent machines. Morally justified hierarchies can and should govern different spheres of our social lives, though these will be very different from the unjust hierarchies that have governed us in the past.A vigorous, systematic defense of hierarchy in the modern world, Just Hierarchy examines how hierarchical social relations can have a useful purpose, not only in personal domains but also in larger political realms.

Contents:

What's wrong with hierarchy?

In defense of hierarchy

From China to the world

Just hierarchy between intimates: On the importance of shifting roles

Just hierarchy between citizens: On the importance of service

Just hierarchy between states: On the need for reciprocity

Just hierarchy between humans and animals: subordination without cruelty

Just hierarchy between humans and machines: On the need for a master-slave relation.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780691239545

0691239541

OCLC:

1296431352