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Thomas Hobbes, By John Locke, And Jean-Jacques Rousseau

1114 Words5 Pages

Benjamin Kielhold
Phil-220
Prompt 3 John Rawls was a twentieth century philosopher who authored a thought provoking book known as, A Theory of Justice. He was heavily influenced by past philosopher’s such as: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, for motivation and ideas for his beliefs while modeling this theory. The basis of his theory is the concept of equality and freedom directly clashing. Rawls argues strongly of two general principles for his theory of justice that help structure the world that we live in. He uses these principles coupled with a veil of ignorance to imagine how the rules of society should be structured in a fair and non-biased manner. Both principles supplement Rawl’s justice theory but there are flaws to them and in the world we live in today there can be viewed many issues on unequal opportunity. Rawls was dissatisfied with …show more content…

The veil of ignorance can be explained by not having any biases while making decisions that would allow for extensive freedom and fair equality of opportunity. The first principle is the principle of equal liberty. This principle states that each person has an equal right to the most extensive liberties compatible with similar liberties for all (Rawls). The second principle is the difference principle. This principle states that social and economic inequalities should be arranged that they are both to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged persons and attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of equality and opportunity (Rawls). Looking at Rawl’s principles more in depth, he is discussing an egalitarian conception of justice. One that would allow a state in which two things that are unequal the conditions of equality of opportunity especially those born to lower class systems and into less favorable social

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