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RAWLS 1 JUSTICE IS FAIRNESS
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John Rawls 1921-2002 Teachers: H. L. A. Hart Isaiah Berlin Students: Thomas Nagel Martha Nussbaum Onara O’Neill
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Anti-Utilitarianism Utilitarianism permits (or demands), under some circumstances: - slavery - false execution - vote buying - etc. Rawls believes basic human rights are inalienable
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IDEAL CONTRACTARIANISM [Hobbes’ utilitarianism often rejected because it is historically false.] Epigram: The "most reasonable principles of justice are those everyone would accept and agree to from a fair position” Would, not did: not in fact, but ideally…
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The “ORIGINAL POSITION” Not an actual state of affairs, but “purely hypothetical” Replaces Hobbes’ State of Nature A situation of fairness in which the political principles accepted would be just.
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The “VEIL OF IGNORANCE” The defining feature of the Original Position “The aim is to use…pure procedural justice as a basis of theory” Analogy: we select jury members so as to be free of bias.
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The “VEIL OF IGNORANCE” Four sorts of “ignorance” (absences of bias) 1. social fortune: place in society, class, social status, [income, wealth] 2. natural fortune: abilities, intelligence, strength [disabilities, etc.] 3. personal philosophy: concept of good, psychological propensities 4. generational ignorance: developed, undeveloped, depleted, etc.
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The “VEIL OF IGNORANCE” Three [or four] sorts of “smarts” 1. Rationality: “rational beings with their own ends”…“taking most effective means to given ends” 601 2. “mutually disinterested” 601 3. “know basis of social organization and the laws of human psychology” 607-8 4? “maximin”: maximize the minimum outcome [ultra-cautious]
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Two Principles of Justice People in Original Position (behind Veil of Ignorance) would choose Two Principles of Justice. 1 st. “Equality” Principle: equal right to maximum compatible liberties 2 nd. “Difference” [Inequality] Principle: economic inequalities must be - “reasonably expected to be to everyone’s advantage” 606 - “attached to positions and offices open to all” 606 NOTE: first trumps second. 602 & 606
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