RAWLS

Rawls on utilitarianism

Minority suffering for the majority is unacceptable.

Rawls on freedom

Individuals are only truly free if the state is a just one.

Rawls: the original position

A thought experiment where a person must accept a society’s social contract without knowing their wealth, race, religion, gender, or health; they choose guarantees for rights and freedoms before “walking through the door.”

Rawls: Principle One

Each person must have the most extensive equal rights and freedoms possible—speech, conscience, peaceful assembly, democracy; these are absolute. Privacy may be limited for security (e.g., background checks).

Rawls: Principle Two

Economic and social inequalities are allowed only if they benefit society, especially the most disadvantaged; all privileged positions must be open to everyone (e.g., doctors earn more because of training, skill, and benefit to society).