Fair Limits is a research project analysing whether upper limits on the distribution of economic and ecological resources can be justified. It is supported by an ERC Consolidator Grant and will be conducted by Prof. Ingrid Robeyns (PI), 2 PhDs and 2 postdocs. Within the field of philosophical theories of distributive justice, the Fair Limits project aims to analyse the plausibility of limitarianism, the view that there should be upper limits to the distribution of valuable scarce resources. The first postdoctoral subproject (2 years full-time), entitled “methodology in applied normative political philosophy”, will examine how to do non-ideal normative political philosophy (rather than conducting meta-theoretical analysis about methodological questions), in the context of theories of distributive justice in particular. The second postdoctoral subproject (3 years full-time) will investigate the question who should be the agent(s) of justice in the non-ideal world.
In addition to these two postdoctoral subprojects, the Fair Limits program will consist of two PhD subprojects, one analysing the plausibility of fair upper limits in the area of economic resources, the other in the area of ecological resources. The PI will develop a critique of contemporary theories of distributive justice by drawing on insights from non-liberal global philosophies.
You will work under the supervision of, and in collaboration with, the project leader Ingrid Robeyns. You will be part of a research team consisting two PhD-candidates, two postdocs, and the PI. You will play an active role in the research team, organize and take part in workshops, public events and other activities. You will be based at the Ethics Institute, which is part of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies of Utrecht University, which provides a stimulating and internationally oriented research environment.
