John Rawls

Definition

John Rawls was a prominent American political philosopher who developed a theory of justice based on the idea of a social contract and the concept of the 'veil of ignorance.' His work has had a significant influence on political philosophy and the understanding of political legitimacy and duty.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Rawls' theory of justice is based on the idea that the principles of justice should be chosen behind a 'veil of ignorance,' where individuals do not know their place in society.
2. The first principle of justice in Rawls' theory is the principle of equal liberty, which states that each person should have an equal right to the most extensive system of equal basic liberties compatible with a similar system of liberty for all.
3. The second principle of justice is the principle of fair equality of opportunity, which requires that positions and offices be open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity.
4. Rawls' theory of justice has been influential in the understanding of political legitimacy, as it provides a framework for determining the principles that should govern a just society.
5. Rawls' work has also been significant in the discussion of political duty, as his theory suggests that individuals have a moral obligation to uphold the principles of justice that are chosen behind the veil of ignorance.

Review Questions

• Explain how Rawls' concept of the 'veil of ignorance' relates to the idea of political legitimacy.
  • According to Rawls, the principles of justice that should govern a society should be chosen behind a 'veil of ignorance,' where individuals do not know their place in that society. This thought experiment is designed to ensure that the principles chosen are fair and impartial, as the individuals making the decision do not have any self-interested biases. By basing the principles of justice on this impartial perspective, Rawls argues that the resulting political system can be considered legitimate, as it is grounded in a fair and unbiased social contract.
• Describe how Rawls' two principles of justice relate to the concept of political duty.
  • Rawls' two principles of justice – the principle of equal liberty and the principle of fair equality of opportunity – have significant implications for the concept of political duty. The first principle, which guarantees equal basic liberties for all, suggests that individuals have a duty to respect and uphold the equal rights of others. The second principle, which requires that positions and offices be open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity, implies that individuals have a duty to ensure that the political and social institutions of society provide genuine opportunities for all. By fulfilling these duties, individuals can contribute to the realization of Rawls' vision of a just and legitimate political order.
• Analyze how Rawls' theory of justice, with its emphasis on the 'veil of ignorance' and the principles of justice, can inform our understanding of the relationship between political legitimacy and political duty.
  • Rawls' theory of justice, with its central concept of the 'veil of ignorance' and the two principles of justice, provides a robust framework for understanding the relationship between political legitimacy and political duty. By requiring that the principles of justice be chosen from an impartial perspective, behind the veil of ignorance, Rawls argues that the resulting political system can be considered legitimate, as it is grounded in a fair and unbiased social contract. This, in turn, implies that individuals have a moral duty to uphold the principles of justice, as they have been chosen in a way that ensures fairness and impartiality. The first principle of equal liberty requires individuals to respect the equal rights of others, while the second principle of fair equality of opportunity suggests a duty to ensure that political and social institutions provide genuine opportunities for all. In this way, Rawls' theory illuminates how political legitimacy and political duty are inextricably linked, with each reinforcing the other in the pursuit of a just and well-ordered society.

Related terms

Social Contract: The idea that individuals agree to a set of rules or principles that govern society, in exchange for the benefits of living in an organized community.

Veil of Ignorance: A thought experiment in Rawls' theory of justice, where individuals make decisions about the principles of a just society without knowing their place within that society.

Principles of Justice: The two key principles of justice proposed by Rawls: the principle of equal liberty and the principle of fair equality of opportunity.