2nd Meeting, 28th Mar. 2017: "On Some Difficulties Faced By Teleological Constructivism"

Organizer: Department of Philosophy (Zhuhai)，Sun Yat-sen University

Topic: ON SOME DIFFICULTIES FACED BY TELEOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTIVISM

Speaker: Hugo El Kholi (PhD in Political Science from Sciences Po Paris)

Time: March 28th, 2017

Venue: Rm 114, No. 16 Building at Haibin Honglou

Abstract:

In this paper, I clarify the epistemological status of and the fundamental intuition behind the metaethical approach I call “teleological constructivism”. I start by showing that despite its reliance on a priori cognitions, this approach fits entirely within the well-understood boundaries of post-Rawlsian political theory. I then explain in what way constructivism can – and arguably should – be teleological. I demonstrate as part of this explanation that all Kantian-inspired deontological theories share in fact the nature of being internally teleological insofar as the principles of right, though prior to the good, are themselves defined in relation to a certain reasonable conception of the person as expressed through the final end placed before us purely a priori by reason.