8. Justice

Question 1

Rawls justice

Answer 1

Justice as an opportunities and outcomes

Question 2

Nozicks justice

Answer 2

Justice as a process

Question 3

What is Rawls argument

Answer 3

Choice from behind the veil of ignorance is a fair method for deriving governing principles (choose as if you did not know who you’ll be)

Question 4

Rawls principle of equal liberty

Answer 4

The most extensive basic liberty compatible with similar liberties for others

Question 5

How would Rawls arrange social institutions?

Answer 5

Principle of fair equality of opportunity

The difference principle - greatest benefit to the least advantage

Question 6

Rawls framework

Answer 6

Equal liberty
Fair equality of opportunity
Maximize the least fortunate /minimum

Question 7

How would you attack Rawls

Answer 7

Would Rawls principles be prioritized over economic well being under the veil?

Does what I think would be chosen under the veil depend crucially on my own experiences?

Would you choose utility maximization or avg utility per person

Question 8

Nozicks key tenets

Answer 8

Focus on process not outcomes

Just process = free consent and autonomy

Just distribution is any distribution reached via voluntary actions

Any time slice standard is unjust because getting there or staying there requires infringement on liberty (eg taxing people who don’t want to be taxed)

Question 9

How would you attack Bozicks philosophy?

Answer 9

Shaky premise: have to start at a certain time to start reallocation which is very difficult

Nozicks would counter to start with compensating for last injustices and the reallocate but difficult to implement in practice

Question 10

Sum up Rawls

Answer 10

Cares about consequences, allows for Pareto improvements

Respects rights by being sensitive to distribution

Question 11

Sum up nozick

Answer 11

Cares about growing the size of the pie through free exchange

but also respects rights by emphasis on process/autonomy

Question 12

How would you deal with Airbnb preventing discriminatory housing

Answer 12

Act utilitarianism: compare relative utilities between guest and hosts. Status quo cann be justified

Role utilitarianism : in many markets besides housing there are not alternative options. Alternative is more ethical approach

Rights: two rights conflict. Property ownership and accessibility

Rawlsian justic: renters are not as advantaged as landlords. Difference principle might justify a policy that protects them

Nozick justice: all contracts are open and freely consented to; status quotas is ok