Revisiting Universalism

This book begins from the premise that a common nature is shared by all human beings, regardless of social or economic background. The author asserts that significant moral consequences flow from the assumption that all human beings share a common set of natural needs. Using this starting point, the book seeks to defend an objectivist epistemology. Most recent 'universalist' theories - those that suggest that the features shared by all of us are significant - are liberal. Such theories start from the assumption that, in our contemporary world, it is axiomatic that we accept a plurality of ethical and political perspectives. This book seeks to defend a non-liberal form of universalism. It is one that derives, not from our shared rights, but from our common natural nature. it suggests that there is something important and significant that the very rich share with the desperately poor - a set of natural needs. These needs are not insignificant, but rather, in a world where the riches of a few billionaires exceed the combined incomes of 45% of the world's population, they are very important indeed. Pluralist moral perspectives may not be axiomatic at all, given these facts. Assiter argues that moral consequences and moral obligations towards one another flow from the fact of our shared natures. Furthermore, drawing on this thesis, the book sets out to develop a non-relativist epistemology The Author Argues That Moral Consequences And Moral Obligations Towards One Another Flow From The Fact Of Our Common Natural Nature. Furthermore, Drawing On This Thesis, The Book Sets Out To Develop A Non-relativist Epistemology.--jacket. 1. Why Pluralism? -- 2. Forms Of Universalism And Monism -- 3. Common Human Nature: An Empty Concept? -- 4. Moral Obligations Arising From Needs -- 5. Needs And The Imagination -- 6. Bodies And Dualism -- 7. Feminist Epistemology And Value -- 8. Conclusion. Alison Assiter. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This book begins from the premise, which it seeks to elaborate, that the poorest human being shares with the richest, a natural nature. This, it is claimed, is not the trivial thesis it is sometimes represented as being. Rather, significant moral consequences flow from the assumption that all human beings share a set of natural needs. Using this starting point, the book also seeks to defend an objectivist epistemology. Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction....Pages 1-10 Why Pluralism?....Pages 11-31 Forms of Universalism and Monism....Pages 32-52 Common Human Nature: An Empty Concept?....Pages 53-73 Moral Obligations Arising from Needs....Pages 74-92 Needs and the Imagination....Pages 93-108 Bodies and Dualism....Pages 109-125 Feminist Epistemology and Value....Pages 126-145 Conclusion....Pages 146-161 Value pluralism is assumed by many, liberals, post-colonial theorists, feminists and communitarians alike, to be both factually inevitable in the contemporary world, and normatively desirable.