A Theory of JusticeSince it appeared in 1971, John Rawls's A Theory of Justice has become a classic. The author has now revised the original edition to clear up a number of difficulties he and others have found in the original book. Rawls aims to express an essential part of the common core of the democratic tradition--justice as fairness--and to provide an alternative to utilitarianism, which had dominated the Anglo-Saxon tradition of political thought since the nineteenth century. Rawls substitutes the ideal of the social contract as a more satisfactory account of the basic rights and liberties of citizens as free and equal persons. "Each person," writes Rawls, "possesses an inviolability founded on justice that even the welfare of society as a whole cannot override." Advancing the ideas of Rousseau, Kant, Emerson, and Lincoln, Rawls's theory is as powerful today as it was when first published. |
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Page 32
... doctrine that it relies very heavily upon the natural facts and contingencies of human life in determining what forms of moral character are to be encouraged in a just society . The moral ideal of justice as fairness is more deeply ...
... doctrine that it relies very heavily upon the natural facts and contingencies of human life in determining what forms of moral character are to be encouraged in a just society . The moral ideal of justice as fairness is more deeply ...
Page 251
... doctrine can be brought into play ( ยง 82 ) . 40. THE KANTIAN INTERPRETATION OF JUSTICE AS FAIRNESS For the most part I have considered the content of the principle of equal liberty and the meaning of the priority of the rights that it ...
... doctrine can be brought into play ( ยง 82 ) . 40. THE KANTIAN INTERPRETATION OF JUSTICE AS FAIRNESS For the most part I have considered the content of the principle of equal liberty and the meaning of the priority of the rights that it ...
Page 477
... doctrine that can interpret the sense of justice in a natural way . As Sidgwick notes , a utilitarian never regards ... doctrine of the purely conscientious act is irrational . This doctrine holds , first , that the highest moral motive ...
... doctrine that can interpret the sense of justice in a natural way . As Sidgwick notes , a utilitarian never regards ... doctrine of the purely conscientious act is irrational . This doctrine holds , first , that the highest moral motive ...
Contents
JUSTICE AS FAIRNESS | 3 |
The Subject of Justice | 7 |
The Main Idea of the Theory of Justice | 11 |
Copyright | |
86 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
accept advantages aims apply argument arrangements assume assumptions basic structure ciples circumstances citizens civil disobedience claims conception of justice considered judgments constitution constraints contract doctrine course defined definition desire difference principle discussion distribution economic effective efficiency ends envy equal liberty ethical example expectations express fact favored feelings further greater H. L. A. Hart human idea ideal individuals inequalities initial situation injustice institutions interests interpretation intuitionism intuitive justice as fairness justified least less limits maximize means ments natural duty notion one's original position particular parties philosophical point of view political precepts preferences principle of fairness principle of utility principles of justice problem procedural justice question rational plan reason recognized reflective equilibrium regulated relevant rules scheme seems sense of justice standpoint suppose theory of justice things tion unjust utilitarian veil of ignorance W. G. Runciman well-ordered society