Final answer:
John Rawls's concept of the 'veil of ignorance' is a method to ensure impartiality and fairness in determining the principles of justice in a society. It posits that society should be designed from an original position where nobody knows their future position, thus leading to principles that benefit everyone equally.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Rawls's seminal work on social justice introduces the concept of the 'veil of ignorance,' a hypothetical device ensuring impartiality in the principles that would govern a just society. Rawls argues that justice must be determined from an original position where no one knows anything about their personal circumstances, such as race, class, or even their natural talents. This original position is a fundamental concept in understanding Rawls's Theory of Justice, which suggests that rational and self-interested individuals would choose principles that guarantee fairness and equality because they might find themselves in any position within the society they create.
The 'veil of ignorance' is crucial because it leads to equitable systems that would not favor any specific group over another. Since we would not know if we might end up being part of a marginalized group, the rational choice would be to structure society so it is fair and equitable for all, following principles akin to the 'Golden Rule.' Adopting the lens of the 'veil of ignorance' ensures that the well-being of citizens is a central component of any societal structure and that a government's mandate to govern includes caring for the least well-off.