John Rawls and Robert Nozick
Corporate Social Responsibility
John Rawls and Robert Nozick present two competing theories of justice Compare and contrast the two Which view is more persuasive and why? What implications does your position have regarding the structure of our society?
Module No: 26160
Student Number: 200912136
John Rawls and Robert Nozick both present theories of justice, their views are very distinct and on some level similar. Rawls theory comes from a utilitarian view, utilitarian is a doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority on the other hand Nozick’s theory is based on John Locke’s ideas of natural rights. The theories have much in common as many of their ideas can be seen in today’s society; Nozick’s ideas are based upon the ideas put forth from John Locke. Locke’s ideas are imbedded within the U.S constitution, quoting Locke directly; his idea’s are very influential in U.S. society. Other ideas put forth such as the right to trade, the free market where governments have no influence can also be interpreted in this fashion. On the other hand Rawls ideas can be seen within the United Kingdom where a welfare state is in place to protect the least advantaged of society. Other countries have sought to extend their welfare system, such as Germany and the Netherlands. Other factors of Rawls theory can also be seen today, such as the fact that any individual, no matter what background they come from can acquire a position of power, an example of this is that anybody can become a member of parliament, prime minister or even the president of the United States.
John Rawls theory is called Justice as Fairness and was published in Rawls book A Theory of Justice in 1971. The theory is divided into two principles; however Rawls has arranged the principles in order of priority, so as if the two principles were to ever clash then the first principle would take precedent over the second, “These principles are to be arranged in a
John Rawls and Robert Nozick present two competing theories of justice Compare and contrast the two Which view is more persuasive and why? What implications does your position have regarding the structure of our society?
Module No: 26160
Student Number: 200912136
John Rawls and Robert Nozick both present theories of justice, their views are very distinct and on some level similar. Rawls theory comes from a utilitarian view, utilitarian is a doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority on the other hand Nozick’s theory is based on John Locke’s ideas of natural rights. The theories have much in common as many of their ideas can be seen in today’s society; Nozick’s ideas are based upon the ideas put forth from John Locke. Locke’s ideas are imbedded within the U.S constitution, quoting Locke directly; his idea’s are very influential in U.S. society. Other ideas put forth such as the right to trade, the free market where governments have no influence can also be interpreted in this fashion. On the other hand Rawls ideas can be seen within the United Kingdom where a welfare state is in place to protect the least advantaged of society. Other countries have sought to extend their welfare system, such as Germany and the Netherlands. Other factors of Rawls theory can also be seen today, such as the fact that any individual, no matter what background they come from can acquire a position of power, an example of this is that anybody can become a member of parliament, prime minister or even the president of the United States.
John Rawls theory is called Justice as Fairness and was published in Rawls book A Theory of Justice in 1971. The theory is divided into two principles; however Rawls has arranged the principles in order of priority, so as if the two principles were to ever clash then the first principle would take precedent over the second, “These principles are to be arranged in a
Bibliography: Barry B. (1973), The Liberal Theory of Justice, London, Oxford University Press Brighouse H Corlett J. (1991), Equality and Liberty, London, MacMillan Academic Jargowsky P Nozick R. (1981), Reading Nozick Essays on Anarchy, State and Utopia, Oxford, Rowman and Littlefield Nozick R Raphael D. (1980), Justice and Liberty, London, The Athlone Press Samuel F Sen A. (2009), The idea of justice, London, Penguin Books Ltd Rawls J Rawls J. (2002), The Law of Peoples, 4th Edition, Cambridge, Harvard University Press Rawls J Rawls J. (2006), Rawl’s Law of People A Realistic Utopia?, 4th Edition, Oxford, Blackwell Publishing Velasquez M