A Theory of Justice

Outline

A Theory of Justice (1971) is one of the most important works of political philosophy of the twentieth century. John Rawls asks what principles a fair society should follow, and invites readers to imagine choosing them from behind a veil of ignorance, without knowing their own place in society. He argues for equal basic liberties for all and for arranging inequalities so that they benefit the least advantaged.

• A Theory of Justice, published in 1971, asks what principles a fair society should follow.
• Rawls invites readers to choose a society's principles from behind a veil of ignorance, not knowing their own place in it.
• Because no one knows their own position, the rules chosen have to be fair to everyone.
• Rawls argues that every person should have the same basic liberties.
• He holds that inequalities are acceptable only if they are arranged to benefit the least advantaged.

John Rawls (1921–2002) was an American political philosopher who taught at Harvard University for most of his career. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential philosophers of the twentieth century, and his ideas about fairness and justice shaped debates in philosophy, law, and economics. His books include A Theory of Justice and Political Liberalism.