How should income, wealth, power, and opportunity be distributed?
This is the question that philosophers have been trying to answer for centuries. Distributive justice relates to deciding which principles justice should be based on. John Rawls, a philosopher famous for his theory about the “veil of ignorance,” poses one interesting solution.
A photo of philosopher John Rawls (Source: Britannica)
Rawls is known for teaching a thought exercise in which he asks his students to imagine that they are independent floating spirits before birth. They are surrounded by a “veil of ignorance,” which means that they don’t know anything about the type of person they are about to be born into. Rawls believes that the principles that are chosen behind the veil of ignorance are the principles that should dictate distributive justice because it is a completely unbiased position.
Through this exercise, Rawls critiques meritocracy by making everyone equal at the starting line, or the veil of ignorance. Under the veil, nobody would want to be born into a disadvantaged position, and they would want systems in place to support disadvantaged people.
Rawls also believes in equal basic liberties, or fundamental rights to freedom of speech, assembly, and religion. He is against philosophical ideologies that pose the possibility of an oppressed minority with a tyrannizing majority, such as utilitarianism.
He also supports the difference principle, which states that the only permissible social and economic inequalities are the ones that work to the benefit of the least well-off. He doesn’t reject all inequality of income or wealth, because inequalities provide incentives for bettering society. Instead, he believes that inequalities should benefit everyone, especially those in lower social classes.
The story of Michael Jordan, a famous NBA basketball player, is often used when explaining Rawls’ beliefs. Michael Jordan is naturally talented athletically, but this inequality is inherent and can’t be changed. Rawls argues that this type of inequality is permissible only if Michael Jordan uses the fortune that he gains from his talent to help others that aren’t as gifted. Thus, Rawls believes that Michael Jordan has a moral obligation to donate to charity.
Discussion Questions:
Do you agree with Rawls’ beliefs? Why or why not?
Why do you think the “veil of ignorance” is such a well-known exercise?
What type of solution to distributive justice would you propose?
Vocabulary:
Principles: standards
Independent: able to stand by itself
Dictate: control
Unbiased: fair and without influence
Meritocracy: a system that rewards merit or achievement
Disadvantaged: not privileged
Liberties: freedoms
Fundamental: basic or foundational
Permissible: approved
Incentives: motivators
Athletically: having to do with athletics or sports
Inherent: a property that is naturally present
Obligation: a duty
