Herbert Spencer's theory of social justice

Our one clear purpose in this thesis is to expound and criticise Spencer’s theory of social justice. We do not use his theory as a peg on whieh to hang all, or nearly all, that has been said and written on the vital problem of social justice. Neither do we use it as an excuse for propounding a totally different and i independent view of social justice.All this does not exclude, however, a careful examination and appreciation of Spencer's theory in the light of other theories; nor does it prevent us from indicating clearly the direction in which our personal convictions lie. We examine Spencer to discover what help he can give us in finding a satisfactory solution of the problems arising out of our complex social relationships, and to find how far he succeeds in justifying the many claims that he makes for himself as against other ethical writers.In Part I, which is mainly expository, we aim at stating concisely, and largely in Spencer's own words, his views on the subject; and we incidentally direct attention to some of the features which seem to characterise much of his social and ethical writings, such as internal inconsistencies, ambiguities, and tendency to argue in a circle. We also note the chief points of criticism which we develop in Part II. In the nature of the case, a considerable part of our thesis must appear to be negative in character. But we believe that in following carefully, from step step, the argument of a great thinker like Spencer, and in examining critically the many claims made by him in support of his universal and abstract formula of justice, we are able to discover where not to look for a solution of the problem of the individual in his relation to society.The outline which we follow in both the expository and the critical parts is the same. In Section I of both parts, we first deal with the relation, on which Spencer insists, between social justice and his peculiar view regarding the "ideal" state, with a view to seeing whether, because of this connection, his particular doctrine of social justice is really of more permanent value than the doctrines of others. We then concern ourselves with the way in which Spencer deduces his principle of social justice (l) from the doctrine of the Moral Sense or Intuition, and (2) from the principles of biology. Thereafter we pass to a consideration of the particular meaning that Spencer assigns to justice from his Utilitarian point of view, bringing out at the same time, as clearly as we can, the relation that he maintains between justice and its twin-principle of beneficence. We devote Section II of both parts to the many applications to the practical questions of social life that Spencer makes of his fundamental formula. Our reason for devoting a whole section to this division of our thesis is the conviction that, in the case of such an intensely practical subject as social justice, even though any particular theory of it may be Philosophically defective, the results derived from the application °f this theory to practical issues may be highly valuable, as in the case of the Utilitarianism of Bentham and his followers.The two chief writings of Spencer which we have studied in detail, and which we use as the basis of our discussion, are "Social Statics" (1350 edition as well as the abridged and revised edition of 1892) and the "Principles of Ethics" (particularly Parts I and IV entitled the "Data of Ethics" and "Justice"). Some of the other writings of Spencer, we use only as reference

Difficulties with Ablation for Arrhythmias in Children

Radiofrequency ablation procedures in children present unique challenges for the electrophysiologist. At times, obtaining vascular access to reach the heart is a problem. If this first step is accomplished, the small size of the child's heart, arrhythmias relatively unique to the pediatric population, and the presence of congenital heart disease add to the complexity

An Approach to Overcoming Specific Difficulties with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Children

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is now a well established treatment modality for adult patients with drug refractory symptomatic congestive heart failure. Multiple large-scale studies have clearly demonstrated reduction in heart failure-related morbidity with CRT. More recently, a likely independent mortality benefit with CRT has also been shown. Improvement in quality of life, decrease in left ventricular diastolic dimension, improved objective assessment of exercise tolerance, and decreased heart failure-related hospitalizations have all been well demonstrated in the adult population. Whether or not these benefits occur in younger patients is not clear. Since none of the major trials for CRT have included children, much is unknown about the specifics of indication, difficulties with implant, and efficacy in the pediatric populatio

Echo-Doppler And Electrogram Correlation: A Guide For The Invasive Management Of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a multivariable disease [1]. It is generally considered that in young patients without cardiac abnormalities AF may represent a primary electropathy with triggers in the pulmonary vein [2]. Whereas in older patients with structural heart disease left atrial enlargement ascribed to chronic pressure overloads is thought to cause a secondary substrate abnormality allowing the propitiation of this arrhythmia. Despite this simplistic paradigm much overlap exists with some patients in the former group failing to benefit from ablation therapy (expected to be successful without substrate abnormalities) and others with severe atrial enlargement unexpectedly responding well to ablation. In this pictorial report we describe the association of echo Doppler based diastolic function data being an accurate predictor of primary electropathy and thus benefit from ablation procedures [3]

Effects of Stepwise Denervation of the Stellate Ganglion: Novel Insights from an Acute Canine Study

Background The stellate ganglion (SG) is important for cardiac autonomic control. SG modification is an option for treating refractory ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The optimal extent of left- and right-sided SG denervation necessary for antiarrhythmic effect, however, remains to be learned. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of stepwise SG denervation on hemodynamic and electrophysiological parameters in dogs. Methods After sequential left and right thoracotomy in 8 healthy dogs, the SG was exposed by dissection. Two pacing wires were placed in the upper SG to deliver high-frequency stimulation. The lower SG, ansae subclaviae, and upper SG were removed in a stepwise manner. The same protocol was performed on the right side. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate, and electrophysiological parameters were recorded at baseline and after 5 minutes of stimulation. Results Systolic and diastolic BP significantly increased during stimulation of the upper left SG. The mean increase in systolic BP from baseline was 49.4 ± 26.6 mm Hg (P = .007), 25.5 ± 14.1 mm Hg after the lower SG was removed (P = .02), and 8.6 ± 3.4 mm Hg after resection of the ipsilateral ansae subclaviae (P = .048). Heart rate and other electrophysiological parameters did not change significantly. After the complete removal of the left SG, systolic BP increased by 34.0 ± 17.6 mm Hg (P = .005) after stimulation of the right SG. Conclusion Sympathetic output remains after the lower SG is removed, and sympathetic output from the right SG remains after the complete resection of the left SG and ansae subclaviae. Thus, some patients who undergo left SG denervation can still have significant sympathetic response via right SG regulation

Incessant tachycardia in a patient with advanced heart failure and left ventricular assist device: What is the mechanism?

AbstractWe present a case of incessant wide-complex tachycardia in a patient with left-ventricular assist device, and discuss the differential diagnosis with an in-depth analysis of the intracardiac tracings during the invasive electrophysiologic study, including interpretation of the relative timing of the fascicular signals during tachycardia and in sinus rhythm, and interpretation of pacing and entrainment maneuvers