Veil of ignorance

Definition

The veil of ignorance is a philosophical concept that suggests individuals should make decisions about justice and fairness without knowing their own personal circumstances or social status. This approach encourages impartiality, as it allows people to design principles of justice without biases related to wealth, race, gender, or any other factors that could influence their judgment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The veil of ignorance is a tool used to establish a fair basis for justice by stripping away personal biases and self-interest.
2. John Rawls proposed the veil of ignorance in his influential book 'A Theory of Justice,' published in 1971.
3. When behind the veil, decision-makers must consider principles that could apply to any individual, regardless of their specific circumstances.
4. The concept challenges people to think about fairness from an objective standpoint, leading to more equitable outcomes.
5. The veil of ignorance has been influential in discussions around social justice, equality, and political philosophy, shaping debates on how societies should structure themselves.

Review Questions

• How does the veil of ignorance promote fairness in decision-making regarding justice?
  • The veil of ignorance promotes fairness by ensuring that decision-makers are unaware of their own personal situations, such as wealth or status. This lack of knowledge compels them to consider principles that are just for everyone, leading to more equitable outcomes. By removing biases related to individual circumstances, the veil helps create a foundation for justice that prioritizes the needs and rights of all members of society.
• In what ways does John Rawls' theory of justice rely on the concept of the veil of ignorance?
  • John Rawls' theory of justice fundamentally relies on the veil of ignorance as a method for determining fair principles. By advocating that individuals decide on justice without knowledge of their own social positions, Rawls emphasizes the importance of impartiality in creating a just society. This perspective leads to the formulation of principles like equal basic rights and fair distribution of resources, as individuals would aim to protect their interests without knowing where they might end up in society.
• Evaluate the implications of adopting the veil of ignorance in contemporary social policy-making. What challenges might arise?
  • Adopting the veil of ignorance in contemporary social policy-making can lead to more just and equitable policies by encouraging lawmakers to consider the needs of all citizens rather than those of specific groups. However, challenges may arise due to the difficulty in achieving true impartiality; personal biases are deeply ingrained and can be hard to set aside. Moreover, there may be tensions between different social groups when it comes to interpreting what fairness means under these principles, complicating consensus-building efforts in policy design.

Related terms

John Rawls:

An American philosopher known for his theory of justice, which includes the veil of ignorance as a critical component in determining fair principles for society.

Justice as Fairness: A framework developed by John Rawls that emphasizes the importance of fairness in the distribution of resources and opportunities within a society.

Social Contract: A theory in political philosophy that explores the legitimacy of authority and the rights and obligations of individuals within a society.