Introduction to Philosophy

Achieve Test Prep: Philosophy

believed that humans are fundamentally rational creatures who are interested in using their reasoning abilities to enter into a mutually productive social relationship with others. Rawls believed that we should use the idea of the social contract as a conceptual tool for determining how best to construct a fair and just society, and to achieve this end he suggests that we employ a veil of ignorance to develop the fundamental principles of justice on which society should be built. Rawls believed that this process will result in a fair and impartial analysis because the veil will ensure that no one knows his fortune in the distribution of natural assets and abilities, his intelligence, strength, and the like and because we cannot be sure what social position we occupy in society, we have no choice but to create a system that will ensure that we are treated fairly and justly no matter who we are. Rawls held two cardinal principles on which a just society should be based. The first deals with the basic liberties of citizens and he believes that every person should have the maximum amount of freedom that is compatible with the freedom for all and this includes: • Voting and being eligible to run for office The second principle deals with economic issues and states that each person should have an equal opportunity to seek careers and economic opportunities meaning that every position should be open to all people and that the sole criterion for determining which people are selected for these positions is their qualifications. The second principle also means that every person should have an equal opportunity for the education and training that would enable them to develop the qualifications required. Rawls is not advocating a social model in which everybody is entitled to exactly the same amount of wealth and income; rather, he is simply suggesting that people have an equal opportunity to acquire such wealth and income. Rawls recognized that it is sometimes in the interest of society to have economic inequalities and recognized that not everyone is equally talented and some members of society are at a disadvantage due to disabilities, age, and any number of other variables. Rawls believes that such inequalities should enrich society as a whole by rewarding excellent performance and that a just society not merely provides a safety net, but that is distributes social goods unequally so as to maximize the status of those worst off-society makes their unequal status the best that it can be. In summary, Rawls’ two principles of society are: • Each person should have the greatest amount of political freedom that is compatible with equal freedom for all citizens. • Economic wealth and income should provide everyone with an equal opportunity to secure all positions. In addition, any economic inequalities (such as incentives for superior performance) should be designed to benefit all people in society including the least advantaged persons. • Freedom of speech and assembly • Freedom of conscience and thought • Freedom of the person and the right to hold property • Freedom from arbitrary arrest and seizure

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