John Rawls : Justice, Fairness, and the Veil of Ignorance - Hector Davidson

John Rawls

Justice, Fairness, and the Veil of Ignorance

Author: Hector Davidson

Narrated by: Rosa Hallwar

At a Glance

Published: 9th January 2025

Digital Audiobook


$8.99

or 4 interest-free payments of $2.25 with

OR

Free With 30 Day Trial

Audiobook subscription $12.99/mo after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.

Instant Digital Delivery to your Booktopia Reader App

Listen on
IOS
Android

John Rawls, one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century, fundamentally reshaped the field of political philosophy with his groundbreaking work, A Theory of Justice (1971). His vision of "justice as fairness" offered a robust framework for understanding social cooperation and the principles that should govern a just society. By blending elements of social contract theory with contemporary concerns about inequality and human rights, Rawls addressed timeless questions about the nature of justice and the moral obligations of institutions.

Born on February 21, 1921, in Baltimore, Maryland, Rawls' early life was marked by tragedy and intellectual rigor. He lost two brothers to illness at a young age, experiences that profoundly influenced his outlook on morality and the fragility of human life. Rawls attended Princeton University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy, and later completed his doctorate at Harvard University after serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. These formative years shaped his commitment to exploring ethical frameworks that could withstand the complexities of a modern, pluralistic world.

Rawls' magnum opus, A Theory of Justice, introduced several key concepts that would come to define his philosophy. Central to his work was the idea of the "original position," a hypothetical scenario in which individuals design the principles of justice behind a "veil of ignorance." This veil prevents individuals from knowing their social status, wealth, abilities, or personal biases, compelling them to choose rules that are fair and impartial. The result is a system that prioritizes equal basic liberties for all, coupled with the difference principle, which allows social and economic inequalities only if they benefit the least advantaged members of society.

Listen on
IOS
Android

More in Political Ideologies & Movements

Breaking the Law - Alex Marlow

DIGITAL AUDIO

Digital Audiobook

$33.99

A Life In Letters - Marie-Noelle Chenavier- Jullien

DIGITAL AUDIO

Digital Audiobook

$33.99

The Virtue of Nationalism - Yoram Hazony

DIGITAL AUDIO

Digital Audiobook

$41.99

Beyond Storms and Stars - Noeleen Heyzer

DIGITAL AUDIO

Digital Audiobook

$29.99