John Rawls's "Theory of Justice"

In this seminar we our focus will be the revised edition of John Rawls’s A Theory of Justice. Although Theory will be the main text. Additionally, we shall read some discussions of the book by commentators. First published in 1971 A Theory of Justice is recognized as one of the most important books in Philosophy published in English in the 20^th century. It is responsible for a renaissance in political philosophy among English speaking philosophers. It presented the first fully systematic alternative to utilitarianism in political theory. It revived the social contract tradition of theorizing. And it sought to provide a coherent and principled reconciliation of individual liberty and social egalitarianism. It draws upon discussions from the history of moral and political philosophy, including Kant and Sidgwick, but also from Economics, Psychology, and Game Theory. Such was the impact of the book that within just a few years of its publication one his legion of admirers, but also one of his fiercest critics, Robert Nozick wrote; “Political philosophers now must either work within Rawls’ theory or explain why not.” As we strive to understand Rawls, we will also ask whether Nozick’s claim remains true in the very different circumstances of the first couple of decades of the 21^st century.