The original position is a hypothetical thought experiment in John Rawls' political philosophy that serves as the foundation for his theory of justice. It is a starting point from which principles of justice are derived through a process of rational deliberation behind a 'veil of ignorance'.
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The original position is a hypothetical scenario where individuals are placed behind a 'veil of ignorance' and tasked with choosing the principles of justice that will govern their society.
Rawls argues that the principles of justice chosen from the original position would be fair and impartial, as individuals would not know their own social status, natural abilities, or other personal characteristics.
The original position is a key component of Rawls' theory of 'justice as fairness', where the principles of justice are chosen to ensure a fair and equitable social contract.
Individuals in the original position are assumed to follow the 'maximin rule', which means they will choose the principles of justice that maximize the position of the least advantaged members of society.
The original position is a thought experiment that allows Rawls to derive two fundamental principles of justice: the principle of equal basic liberties and the principle of fair equality of opportunity.
Review Questions
Explain the purpose and significance of the original position in Rawls' theory of justice.
The original position is a central concept in Rawls' theory of justice, serving as a hypothetical starting point from which principles of justice are derived. By placing individuals behind a 'veil of ignorance' where they are unaware of their personal characteristics or social status, Rawls argues that the principles of justice chosen would be fair and impartial, as they would be selected to maximize the position of the least advantaged members of society. The original position is crucial to Rawls' conception of 'justice as fairness', where the social contract is designed to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of rights and responsibilities.
Describe how the 'maximin rule' influences the principles of justice chosen in the original position.
In the original position, individuals are assumed to follow the 'maximin rule', which means they will choose the principles of justice that maximize the position of the least advantaged members of society. This decision-making principle is central to Rawls' theory, as it ensures that the principles of justice selected will be designed to protect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals in the social contract. By prioritizing the well-being of the least advantaged, the maximin rule helps to create a more equitable and just society, as the principles of justice chosen will aim to improve the circumstances of the most disadvantaged members of the community.
Analyze the relationship between the original position, the veil of ignorance, and Rawls' conception of 'justice as fairness'.
The original position, the veil of ignorance, and Rawls' conception of 'justice as fairness' are deeply interconnected in his political philosophy. The original position, where individuals deliberate on the principles of justice from behind the veil of ignorance, is the foundational thought experiment that allows Rawls to derive his principles of justice. The veil of ignorance ensures that the principles chosen will be fair and impartial, as individuals will not know their own personal characteristics or social status. This, in turn, aligns with Rawls' conception of 'justice as fairness', where the social contract is designed to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of rights and responsibilities, with a focus on protecting the least advantaged members of society. The interplay between these key elements of Rawls' theory is essential to understanding his overall approach to political justice.
A thought experiment in Rawls' theory of justice where individuals in the original position are assumed to be unaware of their personal characteristics, social status, or natural abilities, in order to ensure impartiality in the selection of principles of justice.
Rawls' conception of justice, where the principles of justice are chosen from the original position behind the veil of ignorance, resulting in a fair and impartial social contract.
A decision-making principle in Rawls' theory where individuals in the original position choose the principles of justice that maximize the position of the least advantaged members of society.