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Centre for Consciousness

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Centre for Moral, Social and Political Theory

Centre for Philosophy of the Sciences

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HomeUpcoming EventsThe Symmetrical Disenfranchisement of Children and The Elderly
The symmetrical disenfranchisement of children and the elderly

Abstract: The right to vote is fundamental to democratic citizenship; it is one of the most important badges of political and legal equality. However, we deny it to children, generally with minimal discussion about their lack of political capacity. After exploring various conceptions of “political capacity” as offered by Schrag, Cohen, and Chan and Clayton, I launch the Symmetry Argument, which is that whatever level of capacity we use for the disenfranchisement of children should be used in symmetrical fashion to disenfranchise the elderly. If we don’t disenfranchise the elderly, but we do disenfranchise children, we must find a good reason why we displace that symmetry. I discuss such arguments and show why they can be refuted or disregarded.

Date & time

  • Tue 01 Mar 2011, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Location

Coombs Seminar Room B

Event Series

Philsoc seminars

Contact

  •  Joanne Lau (RSSS)