Introduction to Political Philosophy

Ability and Disability

As you read the material for the next class, keep the questions below in mind. To answer these questions you will have to reflect critically on what you have read and possibly re-read important passages. Keep in mind that there are two basic kinds of information that you need to look for in the readings.

  1. What are the main points or conclusions that an author accepts with respect to a particular issue?
  2. What are the reasons or important considerations that lead the author to accept that conclusion?

For our purposes, it is information of the latter sort (2) that will be our primary concern since our most basic task is to evaluate the reasons that are offered to support accepting one possible conclusion about an issue, rather than another. Although I strongly suggest that you write out brief answers to these questions, you do not have to turn in written responses. You do, however, need to be prepared to speak intelligently to these issues in the next class meeting.

Reading:

  • Bob Ryan, “Sorry, Free Rides Not Right” (handout).
  • Tom Kite, “Keep the PGA on Foot” (handout).
  • Assorted Letters to the Editor from The New York Times (handout).
  • William Saletan, “The Beam in Your Eye: If steroids are cheating, why isn’t LASIK?” (handout).
  • PGA Tour, Inc. v. Martin, Justice Scalia’s Dissent (handout).istotle.

Questions:

  1. Recall Aristotle’s example concerning how to distribute flutes to flute players. Is a consequence of the principle expressed in this example that Casey Martin should not be able to use a golf cart? Put another way: what is the aim of golf? Is consideration of this aim sufficient to decide whether Martin should be permitted a cart? What would Justice Scalia make of this question?
  2. How does Bob Ryan defend his claim that Martin is not “entitled” to a golf cart? Would John Rawls have to agree that Martin has no legitimate expectation for a cart?
  3. According to Tom Kite, why does golf as a “competitive sport” and “athletic event” entail that Martin should not be able to use a golf cart? Why shouldn’t Kite be barred from golf since (as mentioned by William Saletan) Kite had LASIK eye surgery? Why should carts be prohibited but enhancement surgery allowed?

 

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