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.

Rawls’s concept of equal basic liberties for all means that every individual should have the same fundamental rights and freedoms. These include freedoms like speech, conscience, and assembly, which are considered inviolable and cannot be sacrificed even for greater social or economic gains. This principle serves as a safeguard for individual autonomy and ensures that any societal structure treats everyone with fairness and respect, regardless of their social or economic standing.