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. |
From inside the book
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Page 12
... situation characterized so as to lead to a certain conception of justice . Among the essential features of this situation is that no one knows his place in society , his class position or social status , nor does any one know his ...
... situation characterized so as to lead to a certain conception of justice . Among the essential features of this situation is that no one knows his place in society , his class position or social status , nor does any one know his ...
Page 120
... situation sets in motion tendencies which restore it , the equilibrium is stable . Of course , the fact that a situation is one of equilibrium , even a stable one , does not entail that it is right or just . It only means that given ...
... situation sets in motion tendencies which restore it , the equilibrium is stable . Of course , the fact that a situation is one of equilibrium , even a stable one , does not entail that it is right or just . It only means that given ...
Page 121
... situation . But clearly arguments from such premises can be fully deductive , as theories in politics and econom- ics attest . We should strive for a kind of moral geometry with all the rigor which this name connotes . Unhappily the ...
... situation . But clearly arguments from such premises can be fully deductive , as theories in politics and econom- ics attest . We should strive for a kind of moral geometry with all the rigor which this name connotes . Unhappily 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