Single Idea 20005

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

Full Idea

I do not believe that anyone of [that small part of a nation that is rich and voluptuous] would submit to a lottery determining which part of the nation would be free, and which slave.

Gist of Idea

The rich would never submit to a lottery deciding which part of their society should be slaves

Source

Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 15.09)

Book Reference

Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.206


A Reaction

Wonderful! This is exactly Rawls's 'initial position' and 'veil of ignorance'. It is used here to deconstruct implausible arguments in favour of slavery.