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John Rawls
Early life: Born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1921. Siblings died as a result of illnesses caught from him as a child.
Education: In 1943, he graduated from Princeton University. Served in the United States Army in the Pacific during WWII.
Philosophical Influence: Norman Malcolm influenced me, and I studied theology and authored a religious senior thesis. Later on, he became an agnostic.
Academic Career: Earned a PhD from Princeton in 1950. I've taught at a number of universities, including Cornell and Harvard.
Career Highlights: "A Theory of Justice" (1971), which advocated "justice as fairness," emphasizing equal liberties and opportunities.
Contributions: In ethics and political philosophy, he pioneered the "original position" thought experiment.
Legacy: He is regarded as an important figure in twentieth-century political philosophy, having influenced political theorists, courts, and politicians.
Later life: He concentrated on academics and dealt with health issues such as strokes before passing away in 2002 at the age of 81.
John Rawls had a significant impact on political philosophy, particularly through his seminal work on justice as fairness and the original position thought experiment, which influenced both scholarly discourse and real politics.
Understanding Rawls' "A Theory of Justice"
1. Rawls' Goal:
Rawls attempted to develop a non-utilitarian moral theory that addresses distributive fairness in society.
2. Core Principles:
Prioritize liberty while ensuring that any inequalities help the least advantaged.
Equal Opportunity: Ensure that positions and opportunities are open to everyone in an equitable manner.
3. Structural Elements:
Original Position: A fictitious scenario in which people establish beliefs without knowing their social standing or personal details.
The Veil of Ignorance conceals personal characteristics in order to construct principles that are fair to everybody, maximizing benefits for the least well-off.
4. Principles of Justice:
Equal Basic Liberties: Political liberties, integrity, and fair legal treatment are all examples of equal basic liberties.
Difference Principle: The Difference Principle allows inequities if they assist the poorest members of society.
Equal Opportunity Principle: Equal Opportunity Principle: Ensures equal access to posts and offices.
5. Impact and Criticism:
Positive Reception: Acclaimed for reviving moral philosophy.
Criticism: Received criticism for ignoring racial concerns, unrealistic idealism, and ignoring the impact of human conduct on justice.
6. Current Reappraisals:
Amartya Sen's Critique: Emphasized the importance of actual solutions rather than theoretical perfection.
G.A. Cohen's Criticism: Questioned Rawls' emphasis on wealth distribution and primary goods.
7. Overall Assessment:
While Rawls' work sparked philosophical debate on justice, it was criticized for being idealistic and unable to address different real-world injustices, resulting in ongoing discussions and adjustments.
The moral theory presented in Rawls' "A Theory of Justice" addresses distributive fairness and prioritizes liberty while ensuring inequities benefit the least advantaged. In the original perspective, the concepts of justice were developed beneath the veil of ignorance to emphasize equal basic liberties, fair opportunities, and justified inequalities. Despite acclaim for revitalizing moral philosophy, criticisms surfaced, stressing racial oversights and the gap between theory and actual remedies. Current reappraisals by intellectuals such as Amartya Sen and G.A. Cohen highlight the need for more realistic approaches to societal fairness, sparking continuing debates and modifications.
