Rawls’s original position is an initial agreement situation wherein the parties are without information that enables them to tailor principles of justice favorable to their personal circumstances . ... The principles of justice are chosen behind a “veil of ignorance” (TJ 12/11).
What is the main idea of Rawls theory of justice?
Rawls holds that justice as fairness is the most egalitarian, and also the most plausible, interpretation of these fundamental concepts of liberalism. He also argues that justice as fairness provides a superior understanding of justice to that of the dominant tradition in modern political thought: utilitarianism.
What is the original position according to Rawls quizlet?
original position. – state of nature in social contract theory. -hypothetical situation in which parties come together to choose principles of justice to regulate the basic structure of society. -goal of the parties is to get the greatest amount of primary goods.
What are the two principles of Rawls theory of justice?
A Theory of Justice (1971)
The first principle guarantees the right of each person to have the most extensive basic liberty compatible with the liberty of others. The second principle states that social and economic positions are to be (a) to everyone’s advantage and (b) open to all.
What assumptions does Rawls make about of the agents occupying the original position?
Agents reasoning from the original position are assumed to be rational in the prudential sense. They seek to maximize their own interests. The principles of justice selected from the original position are chosen behind a veil of ignorance .
What is Rawls theory of justice quizlet?
Rawls suggests that you imagine yourself in an original position behind a veil of ignorance . ... Behind this veil, you know nothing of yourself and your natural abilities, or your position in society. You know nothing of your sex, race, nationality, or individual tastes. You just studied 7 terms!
What is Rawls difference principle?
Rawls’s difference principle requires that economic systems be organized so that the least advantaged members of society are better off than they would be in any alternative economic arrangement .
What is Rawls theory of justice as fairness?
John Rawls (b. 1921, d. 2002) was an American political philosopher in the liberal tradition. His theory of justice as fairness describes a society of free citizens holding equal basic rights and cooperating within an egalitarian economic system .
What type of theory does Rawls develop?
John Rawls developed a theory of justice . His theory suggests that the principles of justice should be determined by individuals in a hypothetic initial position. In the initial position, individuals agree on principles of justice.
What is Rawls theory of justice Class 11?
John Rawls: theory of Justice
John Rawls argues that the only way we can arrive at a fair and just rule is if we imagine ourselves to be in a situation in which we have to make decisions about how society should be organised although we do not know which position we would ourselves occupy in that society. •
What are the 3 principles of justice?
The three principles that our justice system seeks to reflect are: equality, fairness and access . Equality is defined in the dictionary as ‘the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities.
What does Rawls say about utilitarianism?
The utilitarian idea, as Rawls confronts it, is that society is to be arranged so as to maximize (the total or average) aggregate utility or expected well-being. Utilitarianism historically dominated the landscape of moral philosophy, often being “refuted,” but always rising again from the ashes.
What is the difference between justice and fairness?
What is the difference between Justice and Fairness? Fairness is a quality of being fair , showing no bias towards some people or individuals. Justice, in broader terms, is giving a person his due. We want fair treatment in all situations as we believe that we are all equals and deserve impartiality.
What are the two principles that Rawls says we would choose behind the veil of ignorance?
Two primary principles supplement Rawls’ veil of ignorance: the liberty principle and the difference principle . According to the liberty principle, the social contract should try to ensure that everyone enjoys the maximum liberty possible without intruding upon the freedom of others.
What is Rawls veil of ignorance?
Rawls suggests that you imagine yourself in an original position behind a veil of ignorance. Behind this veil, you know nothing of yourself and your natural abilities, or your position in society. ... Behind such a veil of ignorance all individuals are simply specified as rational, free, and morally equal beings.
What does Rawls mean by reciprocity?
For Rawls, reciprocity always meant mutual benefit from a fair baseline , an equal division of social primary goods, not mutual benefit relative to a non-agreement point, as in the mutual advantage tradition.
