Final answer:
John Rawls argues that society should have structures in place to ensure fairness in terms of basic liberties and opportunities, but this does not equate to identical opportunities for success for every citizen. His principles of justice reflect a commitment to egalitarianism and a concern for the least advantaged in society.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Rawls does not argue that every citizen has the same opportunities for success, which would suggest that the correct answer to the student's question is false. Rawls proposes two key principles in his theory of justice. The liberty principle dictates that each person should have an equal right to basic, fundamental liberties, while the difference principle stipulates two conditions for justifying inequalities: (1) they must be attached to positions open to everyone under fair equality of opportunity; (2) they must be to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged members of society. This does not mean that everyone has the same opportunities for success, but rather that the societal system should be structured to be as fair as possible, acknowledging and addressing inherent structural inequalities.
Rawls's theory aligns with egalitarianism, which does not mean identical treatment for all, but equal status and moral worth, and a system of government that reflects these values. In his view, inequalities are deep-seated in the social structure due to different starting points in life. Therefore, he introduces the concept of the 'original position' and 'veil of ignorance' as a means to design a society blind to personal biases and circumstances, leading to a more fair distribution of goods and opportunities.
Thus, while Rawls advocates for equal basic liberties and opportunities, he acknowledges that this does not necessarily lead to equal outcomes, nor does his theory claim that each citizen inherently possesses identical chances for success.