Summary Of Arguing For Basic Income By Philippe Van Parijs

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the previously unrivaled reign of the horse as the primary supplier of transportation and physical power came to an end with the advent of the automobile. Since their domestication, horses had remained relevant and even integral to human society despite technological advances, but that trend finally came to an end. This transition seems innocent enough, and even helpful, but a similar situation with serious implications is presently unfolding at this very moment. Automation on a scale never thought possible could within the decade make human workers increasingly obsolete. Just as automobiles and machines replaced horses, computers will inevitably surpass humans in far-reaching occupational fields. …show more content…
The potentially severe repercussions of widespread automation have led individuals from all parts of the political spectrum to offer up a potential solution: the universal basic income (UBI). This welfare program in its simplest form would see all citizens of any given country receive an intermittent, unconditional payment from the government. One publication in support of the basic income is “Arguing for Basic Income” by Philippe Van Parijs. However, the UBI is not without controversy. Oren Cass of the National Review wrote an article titled “Why a Universal Basic Income Is a Terrible Idea” in which he expresses his concerns about a UBI. Although Van Parijs works to prove the merits of basic income to his liberal audience and Cass attempts to demonstrate its shortcomings to his more conservative audience, both writers utilize syllogisms, appeals to pathos, and refutation of counterarguments to sway readers to their