Rawls's Political Philosophy

Rawls's Political Conception of the Person

• Rawls posits a conception of the person as a free and equal moral agent capable of forming, revising, and pursuing a conception of the good life.
• This person is motivated by a sense of justice and fairness, which guides their choices in social and political contexts.
• The person's rationality is understood as reasonable, meaning they can engage in deliberative processes, consider others’ points of view, and accept compromises to reach mutually beneficial agreements.
• Rawls's "original position," a theoretical thought experiment, demonstrates the importance of impartiality and fairness in establishing just principles of social cooperation.
• Individuals within this hypothetical scenario choose principles of justice behind a "veil of ignorance," unaware of their own social and economic circumstances. This ensures fairness and objectivity.
• People within this position, recognizing their equal worth, would favor principles that benefit everyone equally.
• Rawls believes that a democratic society should ensure conditions for every person to form and pursue a concept of the good life, consistent with justice.
• Emphasis is placed on the capacity for reasonableness and cooperation amongst individuals. This is crucial in developing just communities, as it stresses mutual respect amongst citizens within the community.
• Individuals are not determined solely by their circumstances, but are able to shape their lives and pursue their chosen conceptions of the good. This emphasizes self-determination.

Schmitt's Political Conception of the Person

• Schmitt's perspective is distinct from Rawls's, emphasizing the role of the political in shaping the person. Schmitt sees the individual as embedded in a larger community or political order.
• He identifies the political sphere as uniquely distinct; its essence does not hinge on reasoned argument but on the concrete choices and divisions of the political entity.
• Focus is placed on distinction between friend and enemy, a concept central to Schmitt's thought. This highlights the importance of identification with the political community, making conflict unavoidable.
• Schmitt argues that the political order is not simply about consensus but also requires the identification of enemies and the articulation of a shared identity to confront them.
• The individual's identity is, therefore, profoundly intertwined with the political community.
• He criticizes what he labels as overly rationalistic conceptions of politics, emphasizing instead the existential, emotional, and unpredictable aspects of political action.
• This contrasts significantly with Rawls's focus on rational, deliberative consensus-building.
• The priority is maintaining the structure of the political entity, which requires a clear and possibly antagonistic definition of the opposing political force.
• Emphasis is on the importance of a powerful state capable of defining and defending the national interest. This can entail limits on individual liberty depending on the perceived needs of the state.

Kant's Political Conception of the Person

• Kant's political philosophy emphasizes individual autonomy and moral responsibility.
• He argues that each person possesses inherent dignity and worth, deserving of respect and freedom.
• Kant outlines the concept of the categorical imperative, a moral principle that guides behavior based on universalizable rules.
• Moral agents must act according to principles they could rationally will to become universal law.
• This stresses reason and impartiality as critical for moral evaluation in political interactions.
• The individual's rights and autonomy are paramount in Kant's philosophy, setting boundaries on state power and ensuring individual freedoms.
• Kant argues that political institutions should be structured to protect and respect the inherent rights and freedoms of individuals, allowing them to exercise their autonomy and make rational choices.
• Emphasis on the importance of individual rights as derived from reason, and the necessity of the state safeguarding these rights to reinforce morality.
• Kant strongly believes that individuals should be treated as ends in themselves, never merely as means to an end. This is relevant within political entities in which state aims might occasionally contradict individual desires.