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 43
... satisfied . As an important special case I shall , in fact , propose an ordering of this kind by ranking the principle of equal liberty prior to the prin- ciple regulating economic and social inequalities . This means , in effect , that ...
... satisfied . As an important special case I shall , in fact , propose an ordering of this kind by ranking the principle of equal liberty prior to the prin- ciple regulating economic and social inequalities . This means , in effect , that ...
Page 80
... satisfied , everyone is benefited . One obvious sense in which this is so is that each man's position is improved with respect to the initial arrangement of equality . But it is clear that nothing depends upon being able to identify ...
... satisfied , everyone is benefited . One obvious sense in which this is so is that each man's position is improved with respect to the initial arrangement of equality . But it is clear that nothing depends upon being able to identify ...
Page 177
... satisfied , each person's liberties are secured and there is a sense defined by the difference principle in which everyone is bene- fited by social cooperation . Therefore we can explain the accep- tance of the social system and the ...
... satisfied , each person's liberties are secured and there is a sense defined by the difference principle in which everyone is bene- fited by social cooperation . Therefore we can explain the accep- tance of the social system and the ...
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