John Rawls

Definition

John Rawls was a prominent 20th century American political philosopher who is best known for his seminal work, 'A Theory of Justice', which outlined his principles of social justice and the fair distribution of rights and resources within a society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Rawls' 'A Theory of Justice' is considered one of the most influential works in political philosophy of the 20th century.
2. Rawls' central idea was that principles of justice should be chosen from behind a 'veil of ignorance' to ensure fairness and impartiality.
3. The 'original position' is Rawls' hypothetical thought experiment where individuals make decisions about justice without knowing their place in society.
4. Rawls' two principles of justice are the equal right to basic liberties and the fair distribution of social and economic inequalities.
5. Rawls' theory emphasizes the importance of protecting the least advantaged members of society through the fair distribution of rights and resources.

Review Questions

• Explain Rawls' concept of the 'original position' and how it relates to his principles of justice.
  • Rawls' 'original position' is a hypothetical thought experiment where individuals make decisions about the principles of justice from behind a 'veil of ignorance', unaware of their social status, talents, or other contingencies. This forces them to choose principles that would be fair and beneficial to all, regardless of their place in society. The original position is central to Rawls' theory, as it allows for the development of his two key principles of justice: the equal right to basic liberties and the fair distribution of social and economic inequalities. By making decisions from this impartial standpoint, Rawls argues that the resulting principles will be just and protect the least advantaged members of society.
• Describe how Rawls' 'two principles of justice' aim to create a more equitable society.
  • Rawls' two principles of justice are the cornerstone of his 'Theory of Justice'. The first principle states that all individuals should have an equal right to the most extensive system of basic liberties compatible with a similar system of liberty for all. The second principle holds that social and economic inequalities should be arranged so that they are to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged members of society. Together, these principles seek to ensure that basic rights and freedoms are protected equally, while also addressing the unfair distribution of wealth and resources. By prioritizing the needs of the least advantaged, Rawls' theory aims to create a more equitable society where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their social or economic status.
• Evaluate how Rawls' 'veil of ignorance' concept challenges traditional approaches to justice and social contract theory.
  • Rawls' 'veil of ignorance' concept represents a significant departure from traditional approaches to justice and social contract theory. Unlike earlier philosophers who based their principles of justice on the self-interested bargaining of rational individuals, Rawls argues that true impartiality can only be achieved by having individuals make decisions from behind a 'veil of ignorance' where they are unaware of their place in society. This forces them to consider the common good and the needs of the least advantaged, rather than pursuing their own interests. By removing the biases and contingencies that typically shape an individual's perspective, the veil of ignorance challenges the notion that justice can be achieved through the self-interested negotiations of rational actors. Instead, Rawls contends that principles of justice must be chosen from an impartial standpoint that prioritizes fairness and equity for all members of society.

Related terms

Original Position:

Rawls' hypothetical thought experiment where individuals make decisions about the principles of justice from behind a 'veil of ignorance', unaware of their place in society.

Veil of Ignorance:

The idea that in the original position, individuals are unaware of their social status, talents, and other contingencies, forcing them to make decisions based on fairness and the common good.

Two Principles of Justice: Rawls' two key principles of justice: 1) the equal right to basic liberties, and 2) the fair distribution of social and economic inequalities.