The £641,000,000,000 Question

Cartoon by Nicholson from The Australian - www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au

The problem with deciding what would make for a fair society is that the answer can look very different if you are rich or poor.

To get your unbiased view, at the start of this course, you will be issued with a ticket for the lottery of life.

Then decide where you sit on the political map and see what solutions various philosophers and countries have offered to the problem of creating a fair society.

Next, move to 11 Downing Street to tackle the national budget, making tough choices on where the government gets and spends its billions and attempting to reduce the UK’s record deficit.

Only at the end of the day will you find out whether yours was a ticket to rags or riches, and whether you would be a winner or a loser by the changes you have chosen.

This workshop is a version of the “veil of ignorance”, a thought experiment by philosopher John Rawls.

He thought a fair society would be one that participants would agree upon if they did not know what position they would occupy within it.

Participants need to have an interest in politics, as this seminar has strong links to contemporary issues.

Sample Questions

Is taxation theft?

How do you deserve something?

Is any sort of equality possible?

Should the rich pay for the poor?

Should the government have a say in what you do with your body?

Should students pay their own way?

Contact me for more information:

Phone: 01245 830123