Political Philosophy - A Complete Introduction: Teach Yourself by Parvin Phil & Chambers Clare

Author:Parvin, Phil & Chambers, Clare [Parvin, Phil]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: A complete introduction
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Published: 2012-12-28T00:00:00+00:00

The two principles of justice

Rawls argues that parties in the original position would choose two principles of justice. He describes the two principles as follows:

• First principle of justice: ‘each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty for others’ (Rawls 1971: p. 60);

• Second principle of justice: ‘Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both (a) to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged and (b) attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity’ (Rawls 1971: p. 83).

These principles tend to be referred to using shorthand terms. The first principle is called the equal basic liberty principle. Principle 2(a) is called the difference principle, and principle 2(b) is called the equal opportunity principle.

Rawls also tells us how to resolve any conflicts between these principles. The equal basic liberty principle is the most important. Nothing can be done that violates it, even if it adheres to the other two principles. Next comes the equality of opportunity principle, and finally the difference principle.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.