Final exam : Justice

John Rawls ( 1921- 2002 )

Revived the discipline of political philosophy

theory of justice : the social contract & veil of ignorance

the social contract

a hypothetical agreement in an original position of equality

Original position of equality is reached..

when we go behind the veil of ignorance

veil of ignorance

If a person doesn't know his economical, financial, heath situation and is creating the laws, he will create it as fair as possible, because he doesn't know in which economic group of people he will belong to.

principles of justice

difference principle & equal basic liberties for all citizens

equal basic liberties for all citizens

each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty to others

difference principle

social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are reasonably expected to be the greatest benefit of the least well off

4 rival theories of justice

1. Feudal /caste system

2. Libertarian

3. Meritocratic

4. Egalitarian

Feudal / caste system

fixed hierarchy based on birth. Based on accidents of birth.

Libertarian

free market with formal equality of opportunity . based on social , historical and economic biases and accidents

Meritocratic

free market with fair equality of opportunity. Based on natural lottery, moral luck to have certain natural talents and abilities. ground on morally arbitrary facts

Egalitarian

Rawls’s difference principle. the only truly just system which is not based on any accidental facts or contingencies which are arbitrary from a moral point of view

moral desert

Rawls's general conclusion

idea that we deserve to be praised or rewarded for good behavior and blamed or punished when we act badly seems central to everyone's moral deliberation and practices.

entitlement

can only arise when certain rules of the game are in place. Once the principles of justice set the terms of social cooperation, people are entitled to the benefits they earn under the rules.

minimal state :

only protection against force and theft