Nussbaum elaborates on her argument a bit.
Below, would this be a fair outline of Nussbaum’s argument, which I wrote in the comments section of the previous Nussbaum post: From The Nation Via A & L Daily-’Back Talk: Martha Nussbaum’?:
“Disgust should not be used to make laws. It is an emotion that is potentially irrational and a cowardly withdrawal from our obligations to maintain and free and equitable society. It is also a way to project our own irrationality regarding the body, weakness and mortality onto others. In so doing, often we maintain unjust laws, or inequitable legal, social, and political structures.”
Mill’s harm principle is a better tool to maintain freedom and equality than the moral doctrines of Christianity…not only, but especially when, disgust is used to interefere into the lives of others through the laws (Gays and Lesbians in America, Outcasts in India…Bahai, for example, in Iran perhaps).
Also On This Site: Martha Nussbaum On Eliot Spitzer At The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Repost: Martha Nussbaum Channels Roger Williams In The New Republic: The First Founder
