A Theory of Justice

Rawls's two principles of justice in A Theory of Justice are the "greatest equal liberty principle," which states that individual liberty should be maximized as far as is consistent with everyone...

John Rawls' "veil of ignorance" is a thought experiment designed to ensure fairness in societal structures. By imagining they are behind a veil that obscures their personal characteristics and social...

John Rawls's theory of justice as fairness includes the liberty principle, which emphasizes that each person has an equal right to the most extensive basic liberties compatible with similar liberties...

In A Theory of Justice, John Rawls argues for a society based on fairness and equality using the principles of the "original position" and the "veil of ignorance." These concepts suggest that...

Rawls' social contract theory in A Theory of Justice states that a just society will emphasize fairness to all people. In his social contract, every individual in a society will have both personal...

The 'original position' in Rawls's theory of justice is a hypothetical scenario where individuals choose principles of justice without knowing their place in society. This ensures impartiality and...

Rawls's difference principle, explained in A Theory of Justice, provides for those inequalities which can be manipulated to be arranged in such a way as to correct for those which cannot. This might...

Rawls explains in A Theory of Justice that he is against utilitarianism because this philosophical system bases itself on aggregate happiness, not justice or fairness.

As is shown in A Theory of Justice, both Kant and Rawls support social contract theory as a basis for government.

In A Theory of Justice, the two principles Rawls says everyone would choose behind the veil of ignorance are the greatest equal liberty principle and the difference principle.

According to A Theory of Justice, Rawls's theory of distributive justice is that all primary goods should be distributed equally, except where unequal distribution would favor disadvantaged groups,...

A well-ordered society is one which maximizes the well-being of all its citizens. This can be taken to mean that a good society is just, fair, and good for all individuals. Rawls uses a thought...

John Rawls is a deontologist, for he emphasizes in A Theory of Justice the need for moral rules in society that will lead to the good ends of equal opportunity and the preservation of rights and...

In A Theory of Justice, John Rawls presents a social justice theory in which all people in society have equal liberty with regard to their basic freedoms, an equal opportunity to take part in society...

In A Theory of Justice, primary goods are defined as rights, properties, and qualities that are desired by and useful to every human being, particularly within the context of civil society.

Rawls' idea is that we should proceed from the mindset that while we may have all of our needs met, we should make our plans based on the premise that this may not always be the case. In other...

John Rawls was inspired by other philosophers' theories of ethics, in particular those of eighteenth-century German philosopher Immanuel Kant. Rawls was also clearly influenced by contemporary...

Rawls would suggest that in order to determine how wealth should be distributed among the five citizens they would need to come to an agreement about how to distribute the wealth. The citizens...