This paper will firstly explain, the background of the philosophy of social justice followed with a time line that marks important philosophical dates of interest and events throughout history; Secondly it will focus on John Rawls Theory of Justice, addressing the stages of his theory, and the historical nature of social justice in conjunction with western philosophy. Lastly this essay will look at the diversity of Rawls 's philosophical and ethical thoughts. It was during the period of Enlightenment of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, that philosophers first contributed to the social contract theory. This was a time marked in history, as a time when intellectuals first began to explore established views in relation to religion,
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Rawls quotes, " Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought". - John Rawls, 1971, (Solomon & Higgins, n.d.). One of the major philosophers of the twentieth century, John Rawls, describes his Theory of Justice as fairness, in line with the principles of justice that govern a well ordered society (Wenar, 2012), Rawls developed a theory that highlights the importance of equality for all people, Rawls created his theory of justice as an alternative to the Utilitarianism approach. (Heywood, 1994). Rawls theory consists of The Original Position, The Veil of Ignorance, and a degree of rationality, which in turn forms the two principles of justice. The Original Position, theorises that who we are and what we do within society, influences our ideas of justice and fairness. People of different social standings will view justice on different levels, and therefore have a biased view of fairness. (Freeman, …show more content…
Does this take away our rights based on the State of nature? The theory Rawls developed, aimed to maximise the welfare of society. The social contract would introduce and maintain a controlled society and protect people’s rights to life, liberty and protection of one 's property. If equality and fairness are the desired outcome for individuals and groups in society, then what Rawls is saying is, that by following his two principles of justice, all people will live fairly and justly. Rawls
Rawls quotes, " Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought". - John Rawls, 1971, (Solomon & Higgins, n.d.). One of the major philosophers of the twentieth century, John Rawls, describes his Theory of Justice as fairness, in line with the principles of justice that govern a well ordered society (Wenar, 2012), Rawls developed a theory that highlights the importance of equality for all people, Rawls created his theory of justice as an alternative to the Utilitarianism approach. (Heywood, 1994). Rawls theory consists of The Original Position, The Veil of Ignorance, and a degree of rationality, which in turn forms the two principles of justice. The Original Position, theorises that who we are and what we do within society, influences our ideas of justice and fairness. People of different social standings will view justice on different levels, and therefore have a biased view of fairness. (Freeman, …show more content…
Does this take away our rights based on the State of nature? The theory Rawls developed, aimed to maximise the welfare of society. The social contract would introduce and maintain a controlled society and protect people’s rights to life, liberty and protection of one 's property. If equality and fairness are the desired outcome for individuals and groups in society, then what Rawls is saying is, that by following his two principles of justice, all people will live fairly and justly. Rawls