back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 4123

[from 'A Theory of Justice' by John Rawls, in 23. Ethics / B. Contract Ethics / 1. Contractarianism ]

Full Idea

Rawls's theory is an elaboration of a simple idea: a fair system of arrangements is one that the parties can agree to without knowing how it will benefit them personally.

Gist of Idea

A fair arrangement is one that parties can agree to without knowing how it will benefit them personally

Source

report of John Rawls (A Theory of Justice [1972]) by Bernard Williams - Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy Ch.5

Book Reference

Williams,Bernard: 'Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy' [Fontana 1985], p.78


A Reaction

The essence of modern Kantian contractualism. It is an appealing principle for building a rational world, but I hear Nietzsche turning in his grave.