John Rawls
John Rawls (February 21, 1921 – November 24, 2002) was an American philosopher and political theorist known primarily for his book "A Theory of Justice," which redefined political philosophy in the late 20th century. Rawls argued for a concept of justice that was based on fairness, equality, and the protection of individual rights.
About
Rawls argued for a concept of justice that was based on fairness, equality, and the protection of individual rights. His work placed an emphasis on the importance of a just distribution of resources in society. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Rawls studied at Princeton University, where he was deeply influenced by the ideas of German philosopher Immanuel Kant and political philosopher John Harsanyi. After serving in the Army during World War II, Rawls pursued graduate studies in philosophy, eventually earning his Ph. D. from Princeton in 1949. "A Theory of Justice," published in 1971, cemented Rawls' reputation as one of the most influential political philosophers of his time. In it, he proposed the idea of the "original position," in which individuals consider principles of justice behind a metaphorical "veil of ignorance," unaware of their own social position. From this position, Rawls argued for the establishment of a just society that promotes fair equality of opportunity and provides assistance to the most disadvantaged members. Rawls' work sparked intense debate and discussion in academia and beyond. Many critics praised his focus on the importance of justice and the principles he put forward, while others questioned the practicality and feasibility of implementing his ideas in real-world politics. Throughout his career, Rawls continued to refine and expand upon his theories, publishing several influential works, including "Political Liberalism" (1993) and "Justice as Fairness: A Restatement" (2001). These works addressed criticisms and further developed his ideas on justice, morality, and democracy. Rawls received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to political philosophy, including the National Humanities Medal and the Johan Skytte Prize in Political Science. He spent the latter part of his career as a professor at Harvard University, where he remained until his retirement in 1995. Rawls passed away in 2002 but his ideas continue to be highly influential and widely studied in the field of political philosophy.