Rawls - Social Contract Theory

John Rawls

  • Lived from 1921-2002.

  • Notable moral and political philosopher.

  • Author of A Theory of Justice.

  • Proposed a social contract theory focused on equality and fairness.

  • Emphasized mutual respect over egoism.

Original Position

  • Hypothetical state for establishing governing principles.

  • Participants operate behind a veil of ignorance, unaware of their personal circumstances. → behind the veil, people know general facts about human nature, but are ignorant to their own particular set of circumstances

  • Key advantages:

    • Minimizes bias and ensures objectivity.

    • Prevents exploitation of advantages and minimizes risk-taking.

    • Justice is impartial (blind).

  • Participants are rationally self-interested and aware of primary goods:

    • Liberties, opportunities, wealth, self-respect.

    • Principles chosen will be permanent and unanimous (fully in agreement).

Rawlsian Social Contract Theory

  • An act is morally right if permitted by the moral code that those in the original position would agree to abide by if they were to choose a moral code.

First Principle of Justice

  • Each individual has an equal right to extensive basic liberties compatible with others.

  • Basic freedoms must be guaranteed before allowing inequalities.

  • First principle must be fulfilled before second principle according to Rawl

Second Principle of Justice

  • Social and economic inequalities must:

    • Benefit everyone, especially the least advantaged.

    • Ensure positions are accessible to all, regardless of personal characteristics.

  • Inequalities are acceptable if they improve the status of those worst off and provide equitable opportunities (accessibility to “rise”).

Potential Issues

  • Can a hypothetical contract truly bind individuals?

  • Conflicts between satisfying primary goods?

  • Is limiting liberty justified for equality?

  • Personal agreement with Rawls’ principles of justice?