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 58
... tion among persons of certain rights and values . I shall not , however , pursue this larger inquiry . Our concern is solely with the basic structure of society and its major institutions and therefore with the standard cases of social ...
... tion among persons of certain rights and values . I shall not , however , pursue this larger inquiry . Our concern is solely with the basic structure of society and its major institutions and therefore with the standard cases of social ...
Page 125
... tion of justice matched with the circumstances in which it applies . But if conceptions of this kind were added to the list , our problem would become very complicated if not unmanageable . Moreover , there is a reason for excluding ...
... tion of justice matched with the circumstances in which it applies . But if conceptions of this kind were added to the list , our problem would become very complicated if not unmanageable . Moreover , there is a reason for excluding ...
Page 137
... tion of the good , the particulars of his rational plan of life , or even the special features of his psychology such as his aversion to risk or liability to optimism or pessimism . More than this , I assume that the parties do not know ...
... tion of the good , the particulars of his rational plan of life , or even the special features of his psychology such as his aversion to risk or liability to optimism or pessimism . More than this , I assume that the parties do not know ...
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