Theories of Justice: Rawls, Sen, and Distributive Justice

Theories of Justice

The concept of justice has long been a subject of fascination and debate in philosophy. Over the centuries, various theories have been proposed to define and understand what justice means and how it should be applied in society. This article will discuss some of the most prominent theories of justice, focusing on the work of John Rawls and his influence on the field.

The Theory of Justice as Fairness

John Rawls is a central figure in the modern understanding of justice. His book "A Theory of Justice," published in 1971, introduced a new approach to the concept of justice that has had a profound impact on political philosophy. Rawls proposed two principles of justice:

1. First Principle: Each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive total system of equal basic liberties compatible with a similar system for others.
2. Second Principle: Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both:
   • To the greatest benefit of the least advantaged, consistent with the just savings principle, and
   • Attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity.

These principles prioritize the protection of individual liberties and work to minimize inequality by ensuring that the least advantaged in society benefit from the social and economic system.

Rawls' Influence on Political Philosophy

Rawls' theory of justice marked a shift in the field of political philosophy, blurring the lines between liberalism and socialism. It introduced a new form of liberalism that combined civil and political liberties with an expanded program of economic redistribution. This new form of liberalism, often referred to as "new liberalism," has influenced debates on distributive justice and has set the terms of philosophical debate in this area ever since.

Criticisms and Revisions

Despite Rawls' profound influence on the field of political philosophy, his ideas have faced criticism in recent years. Charles Mills, a philosopher who taught at the City University of New York Graduate Center before his death in 2021, argued that Rawls' theory of justice was only applicable to Western democratic states and that it unconsciously adopted "the viewpoint of colonial racial privilege in a nominally post-colonial epoch". This criticism suggests that Rawls' theory may not fully address the legacy of racism and other forms of inequality in a global context.

Comparative Notions of Distributive Justice

Another influential figure in the field of justice is Amartya Sen, who has contributed to the understanding of distributive justice through his work on social choice theory. Sen's work has added to the debate on how distributive justice should be understood and applied in society, further enriching the discourse on the concept of justice.

In conclusion, the theories of justice, as proposed by Rawls, Sen, and other philosophers, have contributed significantly to our understanding of justice and its application in society. These theories have helped shape the contemporary discourse on justice and continue to inform political and philosophical debates on the subject.