2. John Rawls

Question 1

According to John Rawls (1921 – 2002), principles of justice are the outcome of…
They are the principles that we would all agree to if…

Answer 1

… a special kind of agreement.
…we were choosing rules for our society and no one had any unfair bargaining power.

Question 2

What is Rawls´ idea of “Veil of Ignorance”?

Answer 2

• it ensures that no one has any unfair bargaining power
• it limits out knowledge, i.e. behing this we dont know anything about ourselves
• we know sex, race, social class; but dont know how strong or weak we are, how stupid or intelligent, your goals etc
• in this ignorance no one can make social rules designed for himself or over other people

-> here, every rules we agree to would be fair and just

Question 3

According to Rawls, an agreement is not necessarily fair even if….

In order to be fair, an agreement must also be made…

Answer 3

… it is voluntary.
… against a background of equality. It is unfair if one of the contracting parties is able to take advantage of the other party because he is stronger, richer, better informed or simply more powerful.

Question 4

What does Rawls first principle state?

1.
2.

Answer 4

• everyone should have the same set of basic liberties, including
   the freedoms of speech and conscience,
   the right to hold office and to vote for elected officials,
   freedom from arbitrary arrest,
   the right to hold personal property, etc
• a society in which some people are slaves, or in which very few people have power in the government, would be unjust

Question 5

What does Rawls second principle state?

Part1
Part2

Answer 5

Part 1
- EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY: People with the same talents and willingness to use them should have the same chances of success, no matter how rich or poor, no matter their sex, or race, etc

Part2
- „the difference principle“
- there should be no differences in income and wealth, except differences that make even the least advantaged members of society better off
- Not even superior effort makes a person deserving of special rewards
- your ability to make a good effort is partly dependent on how good your childhood was (encouragement or neglection)
-> these are factors over which you had no control. Therefore, if you are now able to make a good effort, you can’t really claim credit for it

Question 6

The distribution of benefits and burdens in a society is just if…

1.
2.

Answer 6

1. Principle of equal liberty: Each person has same right to the basic liberties compatible with equal liberties (voting, freedom of speech etc)
   -> one must be protected from invasion by others and be equal to those of others
2. Social and economic inequalities are arranged so that they are both…
   -> Difference principle: to the greatest benefit of the las advantaged
   -> principle of equal opportunity: attached to positions open fairly and equally to all

! 1 has priority over 2 and
2b has priority over 2a