|
 Building
a home philosophy library
Lyn
May and Steve Deery
The
twelfth in a series of articles advising on how to build your own
home philosophy library.
No.
12 John Rawls, A Theory of Justice
In
a climate of political theorising influenced by logical positivism,
and its technical concerns with meaning, A Theory of Justice
was published to wide critical acclaim. This was partly because
Rawls asked substantive, rather than semantic, questions. Though
avoiding technical questions he does not lack technical sophistication.
Significance is not sacrificed for clarity.
Rawls'
leading idea is justice as fairness, based on social co-operation
among equals for mutual advantage. Imagine, he asks, we are in a
position where most of the significant social facts about ourselves
are unknown to us - our socio-economic status, natural abilities,
and even our conception of the good. He calls this a veil of
ignorance. Under this veil we are to decide what principles
we would agree to that promote our own interests.
Under
these conditions Rawls' claims the rational person will be driven
to an equal concern for all thereby giving priority to principles
that avoid the worst possible life prospects. This equates to preserving
personal and political liberties and equality of opportunity. So
not knowing whether our life prospects are good or bad we agree
to principles that ensure equal liberty for all, and amelioration
of the inequalities that plague sections of society.
Some
say Rawls' is too egalitarian, others say he's not egalitarian enough.
Either way he is a radical. He opposes utilitarianism on the basis
it is incompatible with the notion of social co-operation, and inconsistent
with the idea of reciprocity implicit in the idea of a well-ordered
society. In highlighting the weaknesses of existing social and political
institutions he also provides Marxists with a serious challenge.
(especially for those wishing to set up
a sovereign state). . Rawls is ideologically
important. At your next political fondue leave out the Swiss cheese.
A
Theory of Justice by John Rawls (Oxford University Press)
£12.99/$22.95
A
new book will be featured from mid-November 2001.
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