Justice as Fairness: A Closer Look

by

Tom Lupkie

James Noonan

Brian Rodriguez

October 6, 2008

A-115, Professor Charles Willie

Before we begin…

Please look at the following list. Using the index card we will give you, please choose one or two things from the list that you believe you are good at:

Fundraising Motivating others Goal setting Being frugal with money Public speaking Negotiation Multi-tasking Public relations

Justice as Fairness:Our Perspective on the Big Picture

The theory attempts to define the scope of an ideal society, not necessarily the one we see from day to day.

Recurring Terms

Rawls defines and uses many terms throughout his work, including:

Two principles of justice Equal basic liberties The “difference principle” Native endowments as a common asset

Two Principles of Justice

The first principle: the idea that everyone in a society has the same set of “equal basic liberties”

The liberties must be compatible with the liberties of others

These liberties are constitutional essentials

Justice as Fairness, p. 42

The First Principle

A person’s equal basic liberties encompass the

following:

Political liberty Liberty of conscience Freedom of association Freedom of thought

Justice as Fairness, p. 44-45

The First Principle

How are these liberties created and

secured?

Constituent power (i.e., the constitution)

Institutional power (i.e., government institutions)

Justice as Fairness, p. 46

Two Principles of Justice

The second principle: in order for social and economic inequalities to be permissible in a society that embodies justice as fairness, they must satisfy two conditions…

Justice as Fairness, p. 42

The Second Principle

There is fair access and “equality of opportunity” to attain any offices or positions of influence.

Those in these positions use them for the greatest benefit of those who are least advantaged.

Two conditions:

Justice as Fairness, p. 42-43

The Second Principle

For example, compensatory policies in

education funding or affirmative action

The second condition is also known as the “Difference Principle”

Justice as Fairness, p. 42-43

Two Principles of Justice

1. Everyone in a society has the same equal basic liberties.

2. In order to inequality to be permissible in this society, two conditions must be met: equal access to positions of influence & the use of these positions for those who are least advantaged.

Justice as Fairness, p. 43, 111

Native Endowments

A person’s native endowments is their set

of unique talents or skills.

These endowments may come naturally or be the

result of education or training.

Justice as Fairness, p. 74-75

Native Endowmentsand the Difference Principle

The difference principle says a person’s native endowments should be applied to benefit those individuals who are the least advantaged.

Justice as Fairness, p. 75

Native Endowmentsas a Common Asset

Taken together,

native endowments become a common asset.

Justice as Fairness, p. 74-75

Our Native Endowments

Fundraising Motivating others Goal setting Being frugal with money Public speaking Negotiation Multi-tasking Public relations

Discussion Questions

1. Many of us know that those in positions of influence do not always use their power for the benefit of the least advantaged, as Rawls’ “difference principle” demands. Given the gap between theory and reality, do you believe that Rawls presumes too much about people’s best intentions? Why or why not?

2. If you were in a position of influence, would you voluntarily allocate resources for quotas or other compensatory policies? What does your answer tell us about Rawls’ theory?

3. What other movements in history also demonstrate the concept of “native endowments as a common asset”? Are there movements that have failed because they could not marshal the group’s native endowments effectively?