JOHN RAWLS ORIGINAL POSITION What is Original Position

JOHN RAWLS ORIGINAL POSITION

�What is Original Position JOHN RAWLS Preeminent Contemporary political philosopher whose theory is “Original Position. ” Important theory to understand for anyone trying to understand political science or government. theory? �Imagine a group of people entering society �They will be deciding how the people in the society will be governed �They will wear a “veil of ignorance” and will not know what societal position they themselves will occupy.

Those planning society do not know if they will be: Bankers or beggars Rich or poor INCOME DISTRIBUTIONS Per Yr. SOCIETY A SOCIETY B % of pop. Making more than $100. 00 per year 10 2 % of pop. Making $50 K - $100 K 10 28 % of pop making $25 K-$50 K 0 50 % of population making below $25 K 80 20 Black or white Male or female. R They wear the “veil of ignorance” as they set up society. Which society is more rationally organized? Individuals in Original Position could end up in any role in society. Which society would they construct? A? B?

SOCIETY B ALTHOUGH INDIVIDUALS IN SOCIETY B HAVE LESS CHANCE OF RECEIVING AN ENORMOUS SALARY, 80% OF THEM ARE ENSURED A REASONABLE SALARY. RATIONAL INDIVIDUALS IN ORIGINAL POSITION WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO CONSTRUCT SOCIETY B THAN A.

Establish Fair Laws A LAW WHICH MANDATES ENCARCERATION OF MURDEROUS PSYCHOPATHS IS JUST ACCORDING TO ORIGINAL POSITION ANALYSIS. THERE IS A LOW PROBABILITY OF BEING ONE AND A HIGHER PROBABLITY OF BEING HURT BY ONE IF SUCH PEOPLE RUN RAMPANT. UNDER O. P. INDIVIDUALS WOULD SUPPORT LAWS RESTRAINING MURDEROUS PSYCHOPATHS.