John Rawls' Theory of Justice

Questions and Answers

To explain why social inequalities are necessary for a just society

To emphasize the importance of individual liberties over social welfare

To combine ethics and politics to explain why social inequalities are unjust (correct)

To justify the suppression of people's rights for the sake of economic growth

Subject to political bargaining and social interest calculations

Conditional upon the greater good of society

Only applicable to those with natural abilities

Inviolable and founded on justice, cannot be overridden by state welfare (correct)

Individual liberties should be sacrificed for the sake of economic growth

Individual liberties should be restricted to maintain social order

Individual liberties should be restricted to maintain equality of opportunity (correct)

Individual liberties should be prioritized over social welfare

To promote a generalized point of view resembling a moral point of view Signup and view all the answers

Guarantees each person's right to have extensive basic liberty compatible with others' liberty Signup and view all the answers

Emphasizes fair equality of opportunity and equal distribution of socio-economic inequalities Signup and view all the answers

Justice as fairness Signup and view all the answers

One that conforms to normative rules that everyone would agree to Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

A just society is one that conforms to normative rules that everyone would agree to
Each individual has an inviolable right founded on justice that cannot be overridden by state welfare
Rights secured by justice are not subject to political bargaining or social interest calculations

Life should not be sacrificed for the sake of the majority (e.g., suppressing people's rights for economic growth)
An unjust law is not necessarily better than no law at all (unless it avoids greater injustice)
Individual liberties should be restricted to maintain equality of opportunity (e.g., restricting land ownership)

Equal Liberty Principle: Guarantees each person's right to have extensive basic liberty compatible with others' liberty
- Examples: right to vote, speech, and peaceable assembly
Difference Principle: Emphasizes fair equality of opportunity and equal distribution of socio-economic inequalities
- Social and economic positions should be to everyone's advantage and open to all

Hypothetical situation where individuals do not know their identity, social status, natural abilities, etc.
Individuals make rational, Prudential choices about the kind of social institutions they would enter into contract with
Promotes a generalized point of view resembling a moral point of view
Leads to justice as fairness if equality is upheld, and injustice if inequality prevails

Aims to explain why social inequalities are unjust and what a just society is, combining ethics and politics

A just society conforms to normative rules that everyone would agree to, ensuring individual rights and freedoms
Each individual has an inviolable right founded on justice that cannot be overridden by state welfare or social interest calculations
Rights secured by justice are not subject to political bargaining or social interest calculations

Life should not be sacrificed for the sake of the majority, such as suppressing people's rights for economic growth
An unjust law is not necessarily better than no law at all, unless it avoids greater injustice
Individual liberties should be restricted to maintain equality of opportunity, such as restricting land ownership

Equal Liberty Principle: Each person has the right to extensive basic liberty compatible with others' liberty, including the right to vote, speech, and peaceable assembly
Difference Principle: Fair equality of opportunity and equal distribution of socio-economic inequalities, ensuring social and economic positions are to everyone's advantage and open to all

Hypothetical situation where individuals make rational, prudential choices about social institutions without knowing their identity, social status, or natural abilities
Promotes a generalized point of view resembling a moral point of view, leading to justice as fairness if equality is upheld, and injustice if inequality prevails