Political Theory Final- Rawls

The Original Position

a hypothetical scenario where individuals deliberate about fundamental rules of justice for society, all behind the veil of ignorance

The Veil of Ignorance

1. People are deprived of all knowledge about who they are or will be in the actual society (deprived of all “morally arbitrary” things)

2. they know that they need primary goods (rights, liberties, income, wealth) to pursue any life plan

Morally arbitrary information

sex, race, gender, class, talent, abilities, nationality, moral/religious/philosophical beliefs)

Why the veil of ignorance works

since you don’t know anything about yourself or others, you have to make rules that are fair for everyone, especially the person in the worst possible situation