Rationality and Justice: A Study of Rawls's A Theory of Justice

Author: Yin Songbo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Rawls' theory is essentially a proof of an ideal nature, which is primarily demonstrated in the following aspects. Using traditional contractualist terminology, Rawls introduces the concept of the "original position." In this hypothetical situation, the representatives of each family are considered rational—regarding their desires for the greatest basic goods. They come together to choose guiding principles for the society they will establish, knowing that they are constrained by the conditions of justice. Beyond this constraint, Rawls also grants them a "veil of ignorance"—they do not know their class status, family background, or their own conceptions of the good.