12/9/2019

A Theory of RAWL’S THEORY OF JUSTICE

JUSTICE focused on distributive justice
A Version of
and attempted to reconcile the
Social Contract Theory competing claims of the values
of freedom and equality.
1. Original Position
- Thought Experiment
- Veil of Ignorance
2. Principles of Justice
JOHN RAWLS -Equal liberty
(1921-2002) -Fair equality of opportunity

1. Imagine humankind before society came into being –

a natural state.
Veil of * individuals step back from real

2. Together, you will create a society and then decide ignorance circumstances and view the
situation by forgetting about race,
how wealth and goods are to be class, gender, and similar factors
distributed. Thought
3. However, before you
make any decisions
Experiment *A hypothetical social contract
is made behind the veil.
you are placed behind a
‘veil of ignorance”, which means * Fairness is fundamental for justice
you do not have any idea how
* Negotiating social agreements based on
successful you will be, or how
equality behind a veil of ignorance. By
wealthy you will become.
doing so, risk are minimized and
Life is a lottery! weaker parties are protected.

1. The Original Position 2. 2 Principles of Justice

 it is a thought experiment in which the parties select 1st principle of Justice: Equal Liberty
principles that will determine the basic structure of the
society they will live in.
This choice is made from behind a veil of ignorance, Each person has an equal right
which would deprive participants of information about
to the same basic liberties
their particular characteristics: his or her
ethnicity, social status, gender and, crucially, that are compatible with
their conception of The Good. similar liberties for all.(Egalitarian)
This forces participants to select principles
impartially and rationally
*** Our guiding principle is
“Justice as Fairness”

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2. 2 Principles of Justice 2. 2 Principles of Justice

1st principle of Justice: Equal Liberty 1st principle of Justice: Equal Liberty
The basic liberties for all citizens: The basic liberties for all citizens:
Political liberty Freedom regarding
(right to vote and be eligible for your own person.
public office).
Freedom of speech Right to hold
and assembly personal property

Freedom from arbitrary

Liberty of conscience and arrest and seizure as these are
freedom of thought. understood under the rule of law.

2. 2 Principles of Justice 2. 2 Principles of Justice

2nd principle of Justice: Difference Principle 2nd principle of Justice: Difference Principle
- Fair Equality of Opportunity - Fair Equality of Opportunity
Social and economic inequalities are to * No exclusion
satisfy two conditions:
a) They are to be attached to offices and CULTURAL RELATIVISM
based on gender
positions open to all under conditions or race
of fair equality of opportunity.
* no hereditary
b) They are to provide the greatest
benefit to the least advantaged
positions
members of society. a. Holding positions of authority and offices
of command is clear and open to all.

2. 2 Principles of Justice
2nd principle of Justice: Difference Principle THANK YOU!
- Fair Equality of Opportunity

- END of the Lesson -

b. Arranging social and economic inequalities to allow

Prepared and Presented by
more benefits to the least advantage in the society. ANABELLE L. ABORDO, MA. LPT