A THEORY OF JUSTICE

(JOHN RAWLS)
JUSTICE AS FAIRNESS
 RECAP: PRINCIPLES OF SOCIO-
ECONOMIC JUSTICE
 COMMUNIST VIEW
 To each according to individual need

 LIBERTARIAN VIEW
 To each according to personal effort
A THEORY OF JUSTICE : JUSTICE AS
FAIRNESS
OUTLINE
 THE TWO PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE
 THE ORIGINAL POSITION
 VEIL OF IGNORANCE
 A THEORY OF JUSTICE
 The question that this theory seeks to address is ‘what is the
appropriate conception of justice for determining the fair terms of
social cooperation between citizens who are considered as free
and equal?’

 Rawls’ concern is how the benefits and burdens which are

produced as a result of our collaboration are distributed. What
principles will provide the fair terms for distributing these burdens
and benefits?
THE IDEA OF THE ORIGINAL POSITION
AND THE VEIL OF IGNORANCE
 The original position, just like the state of nature, is a hypothetical
situation of men who are free and equal persons.
 In this situation, everyone is oblivious of his place in society, his class
or social status, nor does anyone know his fortune in the distribution
of natural assets and liabilities.
 It is an initial position of equality of which a fair agreement can be
reached. The terms of the agreement (which are the principles of
justice) are thus chosen behind a veil of ignorance.
 PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE AS THE
OUTCOME OF A FAIR AGREEMENT
 Rawls claims that this choice situation guarantees a fair outcome
because it ensures that no one is advantaged or disadvantaged by
the terms of the agreement.
Since all parties to the agreement are similarly situated and no one is
able to design principles to favour his condition, the principles they will
choose will result in a fair agreement.
 THE TWO PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE
 The two principles Rawls considers appropriate for rational men
behind the veil of ignorance are
a. Equal liberty principle: each person is to have an equal right to the
most extensive basic liberties compatible with a similar liberties for
others.
b. Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they
are both (i) Reasonably expected to be to everyone’s advantage,
and (ii) attached to positions and offices opened to all.

He believes that these are principles that free and rational self-
interested persons would choose if they were in the original position
behind the veil of ignorance.
PRINCIPLE FOR TACKLING SOCIAL
AND ECONOMIC INEQUALITIES
Social and economic inequalities must satisfy 2 conditions
a. Fair equality of opportunity: social and economic inequalities are
to be attached to offices and positions open to all. This implies that
there should be no discrimination.
People with the same level of talent and ability, and have the
same willingness to use them should have the same prospects of
success regardless of their initial place in society, that is, irrespective of
the social class they were born into. Positions of authority and offices of
command must be made accessible to all.
CONT’D
b. The difference principle: social and economic inequalities are to be
arranged such that they will be to the greatest benefit of the least
advantaged member of society.
That is, while the distribution of wealth need not be equal, it must
be to everyone’s advantage.

The 2 principles of justice protect the basic rights and liberties of citizens
and provide an adequate complement of primary goods(rights and
liberties, powers and opportunity, income and wealth) to enable
citizens exercise and enjoy those basic rights and freedoms.
However, citizens equal liberty must have priority over economic
growth.
THE TWO PRINCIPLES: APPLICATION
 Equal Liberties principle accounts for the considered judgment that
slavery is unjust.

 Fair Equality of Opportunity accounts for the judgment that

discrimination, either racial or sexual, is unjust, as well as unequal life
chances deriving from inherited position.

 The Difference principle accounts for the judgment that no one

deserves a greater reward merely because he was born with a
scarce talent or was favored by natural lottery. Such rare talent
should be put in such a use to make everyone better off.
 CONCLUSION
 Rawls sees his theory as resolving the tension between the
communists and libertarians.
 The theory proceeds on the assumption that individuals are free and
equal and that society must be fair.
 The principles of justice therefore attempt to “provide a way of
assigning rights and duties in the basic institutions of society” and
“define the appropriate distribution of the benefits and burdens of
social cooperation”.
 DISCUSSION
 How does Rawls’ 2 principles of justice address the fundamental
tension between the communists (equality) and the libertarians
(liberty)?
 Is Rawls’ theory of justice plausible?