This lesson introduces John Rawls’s idea of justice as fairness and explains how it builds on social contract theory. Rawls offered fairness as an alternative to judging society mainly by how much total wealth or happiness it produces.
Social contract theories begin with the idea that people can rationally agree to rules that protect and benefit them. They accept some restrictions on freedom not to become subject to a monarch, but to make shared life safer and more secure.
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Justice as fairness
Rawls's approach evaluates social rules and distributions by fairness, not only by total utility or wealth.
Original position
A hypothetical setting where rational people choose principles for organizing society.
Veil of ignorance
A condition that conceals decision-makers' personal characteristics and social positions as they choose principles.
Nozick's objection to redistribution
The state should not take property that people acquired or inherited legitimately to redistribute it.
Temporal veil of ignorance
Considering rules for later life without knowing one's future health, income, or family support.
Quiz questions
What central concern did Rawls raise about utilitarian calculations?Answer: They can sacrifice individuals' or minorities' serious interests for aggregate gains.
What was Nozick's objection to state-funded redistribution?Answer: The state should not take holdings acquired or inherited legitimately to redistribute them.
What concern do critics raise about mandating redistribution?Answer: It may be coercive and weaken incentives for initiative and innovation.
How can a business apply Rawls-inspired fairness to hiring and promotion?Answer: Use consistent, impartial procedures and give affected people meaningful participation.
What can fair procedures accomplish even when people disagree about fairness?Answer: They can support discussion of shared values without resolving every dispute.
Based on Business Ethics by Stephen M. Byars, Kurt Stanberry (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.