John Rawls’s A Theory of Justice

Rawls argues for “justice as fairness” through a thought experiment called the original position, where rational individuals choose principles for society behind a veil of ignorance. This ensures decisions are free from personal biases about social status, natural talents, or personal values. From this setup, Rawls derives two key principles: the equal basic liberties for all and the difference principle, which permits social and economic inequalities only if they benefit the least advantaged.

Justice as fairness is Rawls's idea that a just society is one constructed under conditions that prevent personal bias. Imagine individuals choosing the rules for society without knowing their own position (the veil of ignorance). This forces them to choose principles that everyone would agree to because they might be in any role. Thus, society must guarantee equal basic liberties and only allow inequalities if they work to the benefit of the least advantaged.