Coherence in Political Decisions between Incomparable Items

Authors

  • Leandro Martins Zanitelli Ritter dos Reis Universitary Center (UniRitter)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18533/journal.v2i11.266

Keywords:

Coherence, Incomparability, Incommensurability, Raz, Chang

Abstract

This paper raises doubt about the intuitive appeal of coherence in political decisions involving incomparable alternatives. Suppose that a legislature has to first decide between incomparable alternatives A and B and successively between incomparable alternatives C and D. C and D are, respectively, essentially like to A and B. It is intuitive that, no matter what alternative, A or B, is chosen in the first case, decision between C and D should be coherent, so that, if alternative A is chosen over B, C, which is essentially like A, ought to be chosen over D. However, by scrutinizing arguments by Joseph Raz and Ruth Chang, the paper shows that the attractiveness of coherence in cases of incomparability is hard to justify.

Author Biography

  • Leandro Martins Zanitelli, Ritter dos Reis Universitary Center (UniRitter)

    Faculty of Law, Graduation and Postgraduation (Professor and Coordinator)

References

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Raz J, 1986. The Morality of Freedom. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

Raz J, 1992. The relevance of coherence. Boston University Law Review, 72: 273-321.

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Published

2013-12-26

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