Introduction
Paulette Dieterlen, a renowned Mexican philosopher, passed away on November 10, 2024. Despite her struggles with lung issues, she never ceased fighting to live by her principles. Her indomitable spirit serves as a powerful lesson in character building, inspiring those who defend their beliefs, especially in today’s challenging times.
A Bond Forged Through Phone Calls
In recent times, Paulette and I frequently spoke over the phone, sometimes daily. We were both concerned about what we perceived as an unjust removal from a tutoring committee. Her indignation at this treatment, particularly towards herself, was palpable. The bitter taste of our failed arguments lingered, but her call on the day my father passed away remains a cherished memory. She offered condolences and expressed solidarity, emphasizing the importance of self-love, a theme she often explored in her readings of John Rawls.
A Master Debater and Teacher
Paulette was a formidable debater on matters of justice. I learned from her during my time at the faculty and later when she invited me to teach a course she had planned in the graduate economics program. The specific title of the course is forgotten, but the content was crucial: teaching fundamental theories of distributive justice. She covered key thinkers such as John Rawls, Cohen, Nozick, Kymlicka, Walzer, Amartya Sen, Margalit, Nussbaum, and Dworkin.
Paulette’s Focus on Poverty and Justice
Paulette was deeply interested in understanding how to move away from injustice. Her book, “La pobreza: un estudio filosófico,” clearly demonstrates this. She begins with a quote from Federico García Lorca, highlighting the global issue of hunger and its impact on societies. Paulette explains two dimensions of poverty: economic and ethical.
- Economic Dimension: Paulette references the European Communities’ definition, stating that people are considered poor when their limited resources (material, cultural, social) prevent them from participating in a minimally acceptable lifestyle in their countries.
- Ethical Dimension: Paulette links poverty to a lack of autonomy, reducing individuals’ ability to exercise rationality, will, and set goals. She discusses criteria for distribution and the balance between equality and liberty.
Paulette argued that equality and liberty complement each other, not conflict. She believed that greater opportunities for exercising freedoms ensure that unmet needs are addressed. Moreover, she emphasized that a society with less inequality strengthens basic liberties, which are essential political ideals.
A Demanding yet Inspiring Teacher
Many in my generation were Paulette’s students, and her academic scrutiny was unparalleled. I recall when she presented my first academic book on reasonableness, a concept central to Rawls’ “Political Liberalism,” as well as Scanlon and Villoro’s works. After my presentation, she posed a challenging question about the reasonableness of abortion and how to address those who impose prohibitions based on non-political reasons.
Though I struggled to answer, Paulette clarified my intentions, demonstrating her approach of pushing students to perform their best—much like a baseball coach encouraging a batter to hit the ball.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was Paulette Dieterlen’s significance? Paulette Dieterlen was a prominent Mexican philosopher known for her work on justice, distributive theories, and her emphasis on autonomy and equality.
- How did Paulette approach teaching? Paulette was a demanding yet inspiring teacher who encouraged her students to think critically and perform at their best.
- What were Paulette’s views on poverty? Paulette examined poverty from both economic and ethical perspectives, arguing that equality and liberty complement each other.
Though the fierce wind of loss has swept through, leaving a seemingly barren landscape, remember that the field is not as desolate as it initially appears. Paulette Dieterlen’s legacy continues to inspire and shape the minds of those who seek justice and equality.
