John Rawls
An American philosopher whose 'A Theory of Justice' proposed a thought experiment of the 'original position' and 'veil of ignorance' to derive principles of a just society.
Quotes by John Rawls
The priority of liberty means that basic rights cannot be sacrificed.
Reasonable citizens affirm a political conception that they believe can be justified to others.
The social contract is a hypothetical agreement.
Justice as fairness avoids the defects of utilitarianism.
The family is part of the basic structure.
Peoples have a duty to assist other burdened societies.
The lexical order of principles ensures liberty's priority.
Public justification must appeal to the shared basis of democratic citizens.
Natural endowments are morally arbitrary.
A realistic utopia is possible for a constitutional democracy.
The duty of civility requires using public reason in political debate.
Justice denies that the loss of freedom for some is made right by greater satisfaction for others.
The idea of the reasonable is central to political liberalism.
Fair equality of opportunity levels the playing field.
In philosophy, clarity is a virtue, but so is depth.
Life's meaning lies in contributing to a just society.
Teaching justice is teaching hope for humanity.