Rawls's Social Contract Theory

John Rawls' "A Theory of Justice" (1971), the most influential work of political philosophy of the later 20th century, proposes principles to structure society fairly.

Significance

Rawls' work broke a stagnant academic debate between utilitarian and Kantian ethics, opening new directions in political philosophy. It has arguably made even more of an impact by inspiring criticism as it has by inspiring agreement.

Features

Rawls' "original position" is a hypothetical condition where reasonable, mutually disinterested individuals meet to create "first principles" or rules to structure their society. They meet behind a "veil of ignorance" (nobody knows their position in the proposed society).

Theory

The original condition yields two key principles: "The Principle of Equal Liberty" (everyone has equal basic rights and duties) and the "Difference Principle" (social and economic inequalities are "just" only if they somehow benefit everyone--in particular, the least advantaged).

Considerations

Rawls proposes principles all people, despite different moral views, would agree to under certain circumstances. It does not propose to tell us "the truth" about "justice."

Expert Insight

Critics note Rawls neglects unjust family relationships, the limits of principles of justice and inequalities in individual capacity to act even with a "just" distribution of goods.

References

• John Rawls, A Theory of Justice