John Rawls: Reviving Kant

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Lecture 6

• John Rawls Reviving Kant
• Neo-Kantians

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John Rawls
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Rawls Theory of Justice (I)

• Principles of Justice are
• Principles
• That free and reasonable persons
• Who are concerned to further their own interests
• Would accept
• In an initial position of equality
• As defining the fundamental terms of their
  association

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Theory of Justice (II)

• The Main Idea of the Theory of Justice
• Rawls Main Methodological Ideas
• Reflective Equilibrium
• The Original Position

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Reflective Equilibrium
Normative Theory 1
NT2
NT3
CJ2
ConsideredJudgments 1
CJ3
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Theory of Justice (III)

• Those in the Original position are
• Ignorant with regard to ones place in society,
  class position, social status, fortune in the
  natural lottery, e.g., intelligence, strength,
  state of health
• Knowledgeable with regard to the laws of nature,
  including the laws of the social sciences.
• Knowledgeable with regard to primary goods.
• Fully self interested.

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Theory of Justice (IV)

• Rawls Two Principles of Justice (The Initial
  statement)
• 1. Liberty PrincipleEach person is to have an
  equal right to the most extensive liberty
  compatible with a similar liberty for others.
• 2. Difference PrincipleSocial and economic
  inequalities are to be arranged so that they are
  both (a) reasonably expected to be to everyones
  advantage, and (b) attached to positions and
  offices open to all.