Original position

Definition

The original position is a hypothetical social contract framework proposed by philosopher John Rawls, where individuals choose the principles of justice that will govern their society without knowing their own social status, talents, or personal circumstances. This concept is integral to ensuring fairness, as it encourages decision-makers to adopt impartial and just principles, leading to a more equitable society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The original position serves as a foundational element for Rawls' theory of justice, ensuring that the principles chosen are fair and impartial.
2. In the original position, individuals do not know their race, gender, or class, which helps eliminate bias in determining social justice principles.
3. The concept encourages the selection of principles that protect individual rights and promote equal opportunity for all members of society.
4. Rawls argues that rational individuals in the original position would choose two principles: equal basic liberties for all and the difference principle.
5. Critics argue that the original position may oversimplify human behavior and decision-making processes by assuming individuals are purely rational agents.

Review Questions

• How does the original position contribute to the development of fair principles of justice?
  • The original position is crucial for developing fair principles of justice because it creates a scenario where decision-makers operate under a veil of ignorance. By not knowing their personal circumstances, individuals are encouraged to think beyond self-interest and prioritize fairness for everyone. This leads to principles that protect individual rights and ensure equitable treatment across different social groups, promoting justice as fairness.
• Evaluate the significance of the Veil of Ignorance in relation to the original position and its implications for social justice.
  • The Veil of Ignorance plays a significant role in the original position by preventing bias based on personal circumstances. It ensures that decisions made regarding principles of justice are grounded in fairness rather than self-interest. This approach implies that rational individuals would advocate for structures that support the least advantaged members of society since they could potentially find themselves in any social position. Thus, it reinforces Rawls' vision of a just society where everyone benefits from chosen principles.
• Critically analyze how critiques of the original position might challenge its effectiveness in addressing social inequalities.
  • Critiques of the original position often focus on its assumption that individuals can be entirely rational and objective when making decisions about justice. Some argue that this idealized view fails to account for the complex realities of human behavior influenced by emotions, cultural backgrounds, and historical contexts. Additionally, critics may contend that the original position overlooks systemic injustices and power dynamics that shape societal structures. These critiques challenge its effectiveness by suggesting that simply choosing principles behind a veil of ignorance may not adequately address entrenched inequalities and may result in an oversimplified understanding of justice.

Related terms

Veil of Ignorance: A method used in Rawls' theory where individuals in the original position are stripped of all knowledge about their personal characteristics to ensure impartiality in the selection of justice principles.

Justice as Fairness: Rawls' principle that societal structures should be arranged to benefit the least advantaged members of society, ensuring fairness in social cooperation.

Difference Principle: A key component of Rawls' theory stating that social and economic inequalities are permissible only if they benefit the least advantaged members of society.