The Good Is Prior to the Right

i think our basic ideas about rights are shaped by some fundamental conceptions about the good. And so this is why i think rols is not only wrong on this point, but he has it exactly backwards. The good is prior to the right. Our conceptions of the right, and rights like the right to freedom of speech, will be shaped in part by your conception of the human good. If you believe as i believe, that that aspect of our well being is truth and truth seeking, the pursuit of knowledge, knowledge of truth, then your argument for free speech will draw on that understanding too. That's what John Stuart mill does - argues from the good. He's a bentamite

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