Single Idea 22849

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

Full Idea

Rawls's theory presupposes that the contractors are conceived, and conceive themselves, to be free and equal persons. Consequently, the theory cannot be presented as a justificatory theory of liberalism.

Gist of Idea

Rawls's theory cannot justify liberalism, since it presupposes free and equal participants

Source

John Charvet (Liberalism: the basics [2019], 14)

Book Reference

Charvet,John: 'Liberalism: the basics' [Routledge 2019], p.181


A Reaction

Nice. If you imagine diverse groups with many strong beliefs coming together to form a society, Rawls is asking them all to become liberals before they all decide how to live together.

Related Idea

Idea 22848 People with strong prior beliefs would have nothing to do with a veil of ignorance [Charvet]