Question

Rawls believes that the principles that govern society will be just and fair if:

1) they are based on people's ability to contribute to society
2) we study previous societies to find the best ones
3) we derive those principles from the natural law
4) they are chosen behind a veil of ignorance

Answer 1

John Rawls posits that societal principles are just and fair if chosen from behind a veil of ignorance, and introduces the liberty and difference principles to guide the creation of such a society. His theory aligns with egalitarianism and supports a welfare state providing equal opportunity.

Step-by-step explanation:

John Rawls believes that the principles governing a society will be just and fair if they are chosen behind a veil of ignorance. This concept is a key feature of his theory of justice, which advocates that in designing a society, individuals should do so from an original position where they are unaware of their own personal circumstances. Rawls introduces two fundamental principles for structuring society: the liberty principle, which ensures equal basic freedoms for all, and the difference principle, which allows for social and economic inequalities only if they are of the greatest benefit to the least advantaged and attached to positions open to all under fair equality of opportunity.

Rawls's theory shares elements with egalitarianism, suggesting all individuals deserve equal status and moral worth. His approach is considered unique for its method in moral and ethical reasoning, where he asks what rational beings would decide if they did not know their own status in the system. Throughout his work, Rawls emphasizes the importance of arranging a society that fair for everyone, which is supportive of the welfare state concept, and generally influences policies that aim to provide equal access to opportunities for everyone.

Answer 2

John Rawls proposes that just and fair societal principles emerge when chosen behind a veil of ignorance, with the goal being to ensure equal basic liberties for all (liberty principle) and that inequalities benefit the least advantaged (difference principle). This approach reflects egalitarian values and aims to create a society that is fair and equitable for everyone.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to John Rawls, the principles that govern society will be just and fair if they are chosen behind a veil of ignorance. This concept suggests that when individuals select the rules for society without knowledge of their own place within it, they will create a system that is equitable for all. Rawls articulates this in his A Theory of Justice, proposing the liberty principle and the difference principle. The former asserts that everyone should have equal basic liberties, while the latter means that inequalities should be arranged to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged and be attached to positions open to all under fair equality of opportunity.

These ideas align with egalitarianism, which emphasizes that equality should be the primary value reflected in just government systems. Rawls's approach, planning a society from an 'original position' of ignorance regarding one's societal status, aims to construct a social order that minimizes disadvantages and maximizes liberties for all members, regardless of their individual circumstances.