Complex equality, relativism and critical perspective: Michael Walzer and his critics

In this thesis, Michael Walzer's theory of complex equality is examined to see whether it is, as some of its critics have claimed, a relativistic theory of justice. In order to do this, the theory itself is set in the context of the so-called 'liberal-communitarian debate', since it is best considered a communitarian theory. Some of its more important aspects are made clear, especially its basis in what Walzer calls the "common life" of a political community and in a specific theory about the social origins of social goods.; Then the views of four critics (Joshua Cohen, Susan Moller Okin, Ronald Dworkin and Norman Daniels) are considered, and Walzer is defended against charges of relativism. A specific notion of incommensurability is introduced and attributed to Walzer, and his notion of a universal, if minimal, code of moral prohibitions is introduced, both by way of responding to the relativism charge. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...