John Rawls 1921-2002

Question 1

Book:

Answer 1

A Theory of Justice 1971

Question 2

Rawls version of “foundational equality”

Answer 2

not just formal equality under law/constitution but greater social and economic equality. It was nesscerry for a soc where all lives could be rich and fulfilled

Question 3

how could foundational equality be provided

Answer 3

an enabling state

Question 4

redistribution of wealth was not……………

Answer 4

a “surrender to socialism” but consistent with liberal principles.

Question 5

“the original position”

Answer 5

individuals would be asked to create a society superior to the one they lived in. Central to this was the way that wealth and power should be distributed.

Question 6

“the veil of ignorance”

Answer 6

individuals would have no preconceptions about the sort of people they might be in this new society. Rawls argued when faced with such conditions, human nature being rational, would mean that people would choose to be born into a society where all were equal, and so a fairer society was one where inequalities were reduced.

Question 7

what would most individuals choose

Answer 7

though most individuals would choose to improve the lot of the poorest, they would still want to considerable scope for individual liberty and self fulfilment; ensuring greater equality of outcome

Question 8

how was this philosophy distinct from socialism

Answer 8

Although Rawls argued that the poor should be improved by the state, he did not argue the gap between the rich and poor should be narrowed ensuring that his philosophy was not socialism.