John Rawls' A Theory of Justice - Jonathan Wolff (2010)

Summary

In this episode of Philosophy Bites, Professor Jonathan Wolff discusses John Rawls' influential 'Theory of Justice.' Rawls, an American philosopher, introduced the concept of 'justice as fairness,' emphasizing the importance of equal basic liberties and opportunities. His key principle, the 'difference principle,' argues that social and economic inequalities are only justifiable if they improve the situation of the least advantaged. The discussion explores Rawls' original position and the hypothetical contract approach, which aim to establish a fair society by eliminating bias. The conversation also touches on the impact of Rawls' ideas on political philosophy and policy.

Takeaways

• 📚 John Rawls was an influential American philosopher known for his work in political philosophy, particularly his theory of justice.
• 📖 Rawls' most famous work, 'A Theory of Justice,' published in 1971, has had a significant impact on both academia and political thought.
• 🔑 Rawls introduced two key principles of justice: the Liberty principle, ensuring equal basic liberties for all, and the fair opportunity principle, advocating for equal opportunities.
• 🌐 The Difference Principle, Rawls' third principle, states that social and economic inequalities are justifiable only if they benefit the least advantaged members of society.
• 🤔 Rawls used the method of hypothetical contracts and the original position, where individuals choose principles of justice without knowing their own societal position, to derive his principles.
• 👥 The original position is designed to eliminate bias by making individuals ignorant of their personal attributes and circumstances, promoting impartiality in decision-making.
• 💡 Rawls' theory emphasizes the importance of primary goods, such as liberty, opportunity, income and wealth, and the social basis of self-respect, as universally valuable.
• 🤝 Rawls' work has been influential in political philosophy, shifting the focus from clarifying terms to developing substantive theories with systematic arguments.
• 🏛 His ideas have influenced public policy, with a growing concern for the worst off in society and changes in the way benefits are distributed, such as the weighting of benefits to the poor.
• 🌟 Rawls' work is considered a watershed in 20th-century political philosophy, marking a clear distinction between pre-Rawlsian and post-Rawlsian eras.
• 🤔 While Rawls' theory has faced criticism, such as the potential for smuggling in liberal biases and the undervaluing of certain conceptions of the good, it remains a cornerstone of contemporary political philosophy.

Q & A

What is the name of the podcast and its hosts?

The podcast is called 'Philosophy Bites' and is hosted by David Edmonds and Nigel Warburton.

What is the significance of John Rawls in the field of political philosophy?

John Rawls is significant for his influential work 'A Theory of Justice,' which is considered one of the most important works in political philosophy from the second half of the 20th century.

What are Rawls' two principles of justice, and why does he have three when he refers to them as 'two'?

Rawls' two principles of justice are the Liberty Principle and the Fair Opportunity Principle, along with the Difference Principle. The reason for the discrepancy in the naming is a mystery, as the text does not provide a clear explanation.

What does the Liberty Principle entail according to Rawls?

The Liberty Principle states that each person is entitled to an equal and extensive set of basic liberties, including civil rights and political rights.

Can you explain the Difference Principle as presented by Rawls?

The Difference Principle suggests that inequality is justified only if it makes the worst off as well off as possible, meaning that social and economic inequalities are permissible if they benefit everyone, especially the least advantaged.

What is the 'original position' and the 'veil of ignorance' in Rawls' theory?

The 'original position' is a hypothetical situation where individuals agree on principles of justice without knowing their own social status or personal attributes. The 'veil of ignorance' is a metaphorical barrier that prevents individuals from knowing personal details that might bias their judgment.

How does Rawls argue for the rationality of choosing the Difference Principle from behind the veil of ignorance?

Rawls argues that from behind the veil of ignorance, individuals would rationally choose the Difference Principle to minimize risk, as they would not want to gamble with their own well-being should they end up in the least advantaged position in society.

What is the criticism regarding the original position being potentially biased towards liberal philosophers?

Critics argue that the original position might be biased because it is imagined by individuals, possibly liberal philosophers, who have overlapping value systems and may not represent a diverse range of perspectives, such as those of fascists or other ideological groups.

How does Rawls respond to the criticism that his theory might not account for individuals with different conceptions of the good, like a monk?

Rawls argues that even individuals with different conceptions of the good, such as monks, value liberty and opportunity, as they have chosen their way of life freely. He also suggests that they might still want to live in a society where the worst off are as well off as possible.

What impact has Rawls' theory had on political philosophy and potentially on politics and public policy?

Rawls' theory has been highly influential in academic circles, changing the mood of political philosophy. It has also influenced public policy, with a greater concern for the worst off in society and changes in the way benefits are distributed, as seen in the introduction of weighting systems that favor the poor.

How does the interviewee, Jonathan Wolff, summarize the impact of Rawls on political philosophy?

Jonathan Wolff suggests that political philosophy can be divided into pre-Rawls and post-Rawls eras, indicating that Rawls has had a profound and lasting impact on the field, making it more systematic and argument-driven.