Notes on John Rawls and A Theory of Justice

Introduction to John Rawls

• Influential political thinker (1921-2002)
• Responsible for a renaissance in political philosophy
• Major work: A Theory of Justice (1971)

Political Philosophy Context

• Dominant philosophy before Rawls: Utilitarianism
  • Foundation: "Greatest good for the greatest number"
  • Application in organizing institutions, norms, and laws to achieve general happiness.

Critique of Utilitarianism

• Ethical issues arise from utilitarianism:
  • Example: Justifying slavery for the happiness of the majority.
  • Example: Surgeon sacrificing a homeless man to save a doctor.
• Rawls' Response: The problem is one of rights:
  • Rights shouldn't be violated for the benefit of others.
  • Example: Every village has a right to services, regardless of size.

Rawls' Questions

• How to organize the basic structure of society?
• Define principles of justice and fairness in society.
• Justice as the first virtue of social institutions.

Social Contract Tradition

• Inspired by Enlightenment philosophers: Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau.
• Proposal of a thought experiment - Original Position:
  • Free and rational persons define terms of association.
  • Decision made from behind a veil of ignorance:
    • No knowledge of social status, class position, natural assets, or personal traits.

Veil of Ignorance

• Ensures fairness in decision-making:
  • Individuals would choose principles that are beneficial to all, regardless of their future status.
  • Emphasizes rational choice without self-interest bias.

Critique of Utilitarianism

• Example of wealth distribution:
  • Two societies with similar total wealth but different distributions.
  • Unlikely that rational individuals would choose a system favoring the unequal society.
• Rawls dismisses utilitarianism due to its potential to justify unfairness.

Critique of Libertarianism

• Libertarianism favors free markets and property rights but:
  • Injustice arises from unequal starting points (e.g., family wealth).
• Calls for fair equality of opportunity:
  • Similar abilities should mean similar life chances.

Considerations of Natural Talents and Abilities

• Talents are often due to chance, creating questions of fairness.
• Equality of Outcome:
  • Suggests equal sharing of resources, but may disincentivize hard work.

Difference Principle

• Proposes that inequalities are acceptable only if they benefit the least advantaged.
• Maximin Strategy:
  • Maximizes the minimum position in society.
• Rawls' Two Principles of Justice:
  1. Equal basic liberties for all.
  2. Social and economic inequalities arranged to benefit the least advantaged and ensure fair equality of opportunity.

Summary of Principles

• All social values are to be equally distributed unless inequality benefits everyone.
• Basic Liberties include:
  • Political liberty (voting, public office eligibility)
  • Freedom of speech, assembly, conscience, and thought
  • Right to personal property, and protection from arbitrary arrest.

Implementation of Principles

• Institutions must be organized to protect basic liberties and ensure opportunities for all.
• Address discrimination and provide education.
• Maximin strategy ensures minimum rights and livelihoods.

Conclusion

• Rawls' work significant for blending liberal and egalitarian values.
• His principles accommodate both individualistic and social dimensions of justice.
• The balance of social cooperation with individual rights is a critical contribution to political thought.