Justice as fairness is a theory of justice developed by the political philosopher John Rawls, which holds that the principles of justice should be chosen from behind a 'veil of ignorance' where individuals do not know their place in society. This ensures that the principles chosen would be fair and impartial, as individuals would not be biased by their own circumstances or social position.
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Rawls' theory of justice as fairness is based on the idea that the principles of justice should be chosen from behind a 'veil of ignorance' to ensure impartiality.
The 'veil of ignorance' deprives individuals in the original position of knowledge about their social status, natural abilities, and particular circumstances.
The two principles of justice proposed by Rawls are the principle of equal liberty and the difference principle, which allows for inequalities only if they benefit the least advantaged.
Rawls' theory aims to ensure that the principles of justice are chosen in a way that would be acceptable to all rational individuals, regardless of their position in society.
The theory of justice as fairness is a departure from utilitarian approaches to justice, which focus on maximizing overall social welfare rather than ensuring fairness and equality.
Review Questions
Explain the role of the 'veil of ignorance' in Rawls' theory of justice as fairness.
The 'veil of ignorance' is a key component of Rawls' theory of justice as fairness. It is a hypothetical situation where individuals in the 'original position' are deprived of knowledge about their social status, natural abilities, and particular circumstances. This ensures that the principles of justice they choose will be impartial and fair, as they will not be influenced by their own self-interest or social position. The 'veil of ignorance' is designed to promote the selection of principles that would be acceptable to all rational individuals, regardless of their place in society.
Describe the two principles of justice proposed by Rawls and explain how they are intended to ensure fairness.
Rawls' two principles of justice are: (1) the principle of equal liberty, which guarantees equal basic rights and liberties for all individuals, and (2) the difference principle, which states that inequalities are only justified if they benefit the least advantaged members of society. The principle of equal liberty ensures that all individuals have the same fundamental rights and freedoms, while the difference principle allows for some level of inequality as long as it improves the situation of the least advantaged. Together, these principles are intended to create a fair and just society where the basic needs and rights of all individuals are protected, and any inequalities that arise are designed to benefit the most vulnerable members of society.
Analyze how Rawls' theory of justice as fairness differs from utilitarian approaches to justice and explain the implications of this difference.
Rawls' theory of justice as fairness departs significantly from utilitarian approaches to justice, which focus on maximizing overall social welfare rather than ensuring fairness and equality. Utilitarianism seeks to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number, which can sometimes come at the expense of the least advantaged members of society. In contrast, Rawls' theory of justice as fairness prioritizes the protection of the basic rights and liberties of all individuals, and allows for inequalities only if they benefit the least advantaged. This shift in focus from overall social welfare to fairness and equality has important implications for how justice is conceived and implemented in society. Rawls' theory emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the principles of justice are chosen in a way that would be acceptable to all rational individuals, regardless of their social position, rather than simply maximizing overall utility.
The hypothetical situation in Rawls' theory where individuals choose the principles of justice from behind a 'veil of ignorance', not knowing their place in society.
The idea in Rawls' theory that individuals in the original position should be deprived of knowledge about their social status, natural abilities, and particular circumstances in order to ensure impartiality in the choice of principles of justice.
Two Principles of Justice: The two principles of justice proposed by Rawls: (1) the principle of equal liberty, and (2) the difference principle, which states that inequalities are only justified if they benefit the least advantaged members of society.