Check out this passage from William Godwin's Political Justice, from 1793: The two great questions upon which the theory of government depends are: Upon what foundation can political authority with the greatest propriety rest? and, What are the considerations which bind us to political obedience? Having entered at length into the first of these questions, … Continue reading The Original Original Position?
Tag: justice
On getting into position
OK, I finally got my hands on a copy of Theory of Justice. Sorry for the delay. Our previous discussion of Rawls has been fascinating and has gone in a lot of different directions. I have a better sense now of the rational/reasonable distinction that Rawls is employing, and I now recognize that Rawls doesn't … Continue reading On getting into position
Rawls [7], “Distributive Justice,” (1967)
After a brief segue into the topic of legal obligation, Rawls is back to elaborating on his conception of justice as fairness. In "Distributive Justice" he has three aims: 1) Explain why the just society should not be structured by utilitarian principles; 2) Clarify the Difference Principle--what, exactly, it means to require that inequalities work … Continue reading Rawls [7], “Distributive Justice,” (1967)
An Unjust Law?
The French government is banning burqas. Story here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/14/world/europe/14burqa.html Reasons President Sarkozy: "The burqa is not welcome in France because it is contrary to our values and contrary to the ideals we have of a woman’s dignity." I suspect I share Le Prez's ideals, but I share the concern expressed by the sole dissenter in … Continue reading An Unjust Law?
Rawls [5], “The Sense of Justice,” (1963)
In this essay Rawls addresses two questions, one raised specifically by his theory of justice and the other a general and much discussed meta-ethical question. The specific question is, "To whom do the principles of justice apply?" or "To whom is justice owed?" The general meta-ethical question is, "What motivates us to act morally--i.e., to … Continue reading Rawls [5], “The Sense of Justice,” (1963)
Rawls [4], “Constitutional Liberty and the Concept of Justice” (1963)
When we last left Rawls, he was trying to identify the 'concept' of justice--that is, what it is we're attributing to a society when we call it 'just.' Rawls claimed that a 'just' society conforms to the two principles of justice--viz., (i) each person has an equal right to liberty consistent with the same liberty … Continue reading Rawls [4], “Constitutional Liberty and the Concept of Justice” (1963)
Rawls [3], “Justice as Fairness” (1958)
In this essay Rawls investigates 'justice' as a property of social institutions (practices). What does it mean to describe an institution as just/unjust? He criticizes a utilitarian conception of justice, according to which an institution is just if it maximizes welfare, on the grounds that a social institution might maximize welfare at the expense of … Continue reading Rawls [3], “Justice as Fairness” (1958)
Original Positions 