Justice

Question 1

moral pluralism

Answer 1

the idea that there are several values which may be equally correct and fundamental, and yet in conflict with each other

Question 2

moral relativism

Answer 2

the idea that moral or ethical propositions do not reflect objective and/or universal moral truths, but instead make claims relative to social, cultural, historical or personal circumstances

Question 3

why does the need for distribution arise

Answer 3

because people gain more by social cooperation than by living alone by their own efforts

Question 4

Rawls’s conception of a person

Answer 4

human beings as being rationally autonomous are able to visualise ends; rationally autonomous individuals are capable of working out which end would be the best; rationally autonomous individuals are disinterested in each other

Question 5

the equality principle

Answer 5

each person is entitled to the most extensive system of basic liberties that is compatible with a similar system for everyone else

Question 6

the difference principle

Answer 6

social and economic inequalities are only fair so far as they work to the advantage of the least advantaged people in society

Question 7

the maximin principle

Answer 7

judging a particular state of affairs according to its worst potential outcome