Critical Summary

Ð'* The original position was negotiated under a veil of ignorance- to enter

into a social contract without prejudice. Since each person thinks he/she will

be working at the lowest position that each person will work to create a

system that everyone is treated fairly.

Ð'* Rawls' theory which he often calls justice as fairness is an example of a

social contract theory. Rawls' ideas have a little bit in common with the social

contract theories of Hobbes and Rousseau and Locke.

Ð'* Rawls' theory is considered a liberal theory, meaning primarily that he is in

favour of a society which is designed to help out the less fortunate individuals

Ð'* Two Basic Principles of Justice

1. Each person should get an equal guarantee to as many different

liberties--and as much of those liberties--as can be guaranteed to

everyone else at the same time.

2. Inequalities in society are okay only if they are arranged so that the

inequalities

o actually help out the least fortunate persons in society and

the inequalities are connected to positions or offices or jobs in

society that everyone has an equal opportunity to attain.

Ð'* Social primary goods: liberties, power, opportunities, income, wealth,

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