Just Hierarchy

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All complex societies are organized along hierarchies, yet the concept has become almost taboo today. This work argues that this stigma is misguided. Daniel Bell and Wang Pei assert that it is neither feasible nor wise to eliminate social hierarchies. Drawing from Chinese thought and various philosophies, they explore which forms of hierarchy are justified and how they can promote morally desirable goals. The authors focus on fostering just hierarchies while reducing the impact of unjust ones based on race, sex, or caste. They question which hierarchical relations are morally justified, emphasizing that the answer depends on the social context. Different principles should govern various social relations; for instance, the justification for hierarchy among intimates differs from that among citizens, nations, or even between humans and intelligent machines. They argue that morally justified hierarchies can and should exist in different aspects of our lives, contrasting sharply with the unjust hierarchies of the past. This work provides a robust defense of hierarchy's role in modern society, examining its potential benefits in both personal and political spheres.