A Theory of Justice : Revised Edition

“A milestone in political and moral philosophy, as groundbreaking as the theories of Bentham and Kant and arguably the most important and influential piece of contemporary philosophy of the last century.” -The GuardianThe principles of justice that Rawls set forth in this book are those that free and rational people would accept in an “original position” of equality.In this hypothetical situation, which corresponds to the state of nature in social contract theory, no one knows their place in society; their class or social status; their fortune in the distribution of natural assets and abilities-their intelligence, strength, and the like-or even their conception of the good.Deliberating behind this “veil of ignorance,” people naturally determine their proper rights and duties.Thus, as Rawls writes, “each person possesses an inviolability founded on justice that even the welfare of society as a whole cannot override.” Incorporating the ideas of Rousseau, Kant, Emerson, and Lincoln, Rawls