Theories of Justice

Question 0

What does John Rawls say justice has to do with?

Answer 0

Fairness

Question 1

Why do people form governments?

Answer 1

To justly resolve conflicts among people who have differing interests

Question 2

All the goods in a society (rights, liberties, opportunities, income, wealth, etc.) should be distributed EQUALLY unless an unequal distribution is to everyone’s benefit

Answer 2

egalitarian principle of distributive justice

Question 3

This insures that, in formulating governing principles, we don’t give unfair advantages (based on one’s own contingent social position)

Answer 3

veil of ignorance

Question 4

This individual believes it is just for those born better off to be required to share some of their natural assets with those born less well off because the better off don’t deserve their natural endowments any more than the worse off do.

Answer 4

Rawls

Question 5

This libertarian disagrees with Rawls by believing that people are (generally) entitled not only to what they earn for themselves in the world, but also to what they get through legitimate, mutually agreed upon transfers of property/goods.

Answer 5

Robert Nozick

Question 6

This individual’s theory is based on a current time slice principle - how goods are distributed is a function of “who has what” at the current time.

Answer 6

Rawls’

Question 7

This individual believes current time slice principles won’t do justice to the HISTORICAL ways in which goods are acquired

Answer 7

Nozick

Question 8

Government should not be in the business of correcting social/economic inequities by redistributing property (including wealth)
The sole purpose of government is to enforce laws concerning the safety of its citizens and the legitimate transfers/acquisitions of property

Answer 8

Libertarian view

Question 9

Transfers/acquisitions of goods are not allowed if they worsen the situation of others

Answer 9

Proviso on Nozick’s view