A Theory of Justice

by John Rawls | Professional & Technical |
ISBN: 0674880145 Global Overview for this book
Registered by zabelard of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania USA on 4/4/2003
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1 journaler for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by zabelard from Hummelstown, Pennsylvania USA on Friday, April 4, 2003
In a "Theory of Justice," Professor John Rawls set forth a conservative yet "liberal"
theory of justice. It is conservative in the sense one supposes of supporting right
and acknowedging that rights really exist and are true. On the other hand it is
liberal in the sense that it starts with individual rational self interest. Rawls' basic
approach is to place a hypothetical person "behind a veil of ignorance" in what he
describes as the "original position." Behind this veil of ignorance in the original
position the person attempts to objectively construct a political theory which would
be rationally chosen with knowledge of one's individual unique circumstances.
Each person is assumed to be "rational and autonomous." The book sets forth
a straightforward and powerful theory supporting individual rights and constitutional
democracy. Perhaps the one weakness in the book is the problem of determining
whether or not mere "selfish" pursuit of rational self interest is enough to sustain
the polity. Rawls discusses the idea of a more mature "reasonable full autonomy,"
yet this does not seem to be empirically normative for human beings. Somehow
Rawls needs to work in the Thomistic and Artistotelian ideas of the individual and
the state being ordered toward the common good, and even in a higher sense, as
Jesuit philosopher Bernard Lonergan would put it, the "truly worthwhile." Or perhaps
as Plato would put it, citizens must pursue The Good as a Platonic Ideal.
This book is a must read for anyone seriously interested in political theory or
political philosophy.

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