Single Idea 20987

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 4. Original Position / b. Veil of ignorance]

Full Idea

The veil of ignorance is very effective for making people see beyond their vested interests and goals. And yet it does little to ensure an open scrutiny of local and possibly parochial values.

Clarification

'Parochial' implies narrow-minded

Gist of Idea

The veil of ignorance encourages neutral interests, but not a wider view of values

Source

Amartya Sen (The Idea of Justice [2009], 06 'Original')

Book Reference

Sen, Amartya: 'The Idea of Justice' [Penguin 2010], p.128


A Reaction

Communitarians also make a similar criticism of Rawls - that people in the initial position simplify themselves into pure rational agents looking for 'basic goods'.