The Difference Principle Essay - 776 Words

The Difference Principle Every citizen aspires to obtain a just society in which to live. Some political philosophers hold differing opinions as how to reach this just society. One of the more widely accepted approaches is John Rawls Difference Principle. To achieve a just society, Rawls believes in two principles. The first principle states that each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty for others. The second principle is that social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both a)reasonably expected to be to everyones advantage, and b) attached to positions and offices open to all (Rawls, 60). Within Rawls second principle of justice†¦show more content†¦The worst possible outcome in this case would be earning no money at all. The third possibility would be based on the Difference Principle. This economy has regulated capitalism and protects the worst off. For instance, with unequal wages, some people will be earning a great deal more than others. The least advantaged will receive $20,000 dollars no matter what. So we see here, that with the Difference Principle, we still maintain the societys justice while in the same note raising the least advantaged citizens standard of living. Therefore, not only is it a just society, but all members benefit from the unequal distribution of wealth. With this rise in income, citizens can afford more than the bare necessities. They will develop a greater capacity to save and will increase their economic growth over time. These being the facts, all members of society will eventually choose the difference principle on their own. Rawls states, Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged, consistent with the just savings principle. The question now is what determines the least advantaged in a society? Rawls seems to consider them as members of the lower social class or those who have an income lower than the societysShow MoreRelatedPrinciples Of Rawls Difference Principles770 Words   |  4 PagesRawls difference principle was based on the citizens and their highest positions and interest. Rawls also said â€Å"The first point to the ability is to propose and act on principle of justice which all can be accepted†. The second point was to the ability to hold, revise, and pursue a conception of the goods. As Rawls argues that â€Å"people should worry about protecting and work on their moral powers for equal basic liberties†. The difference principle supports more of the self respect because self respectRead MoreRawls Difference Principle And Its Compatibility With Democratic Equality1921 Words   |  8 PagesDaisy Duong Professor Quong PHIL 174 23 September 2017 Rawls’ Difference Principle and its Compatibility with Democratic Equality Introduction With a limited availability of wealth and resources, all societies are posed with a common dilemma: how ought these goods be distributed among members of the community in a way that is just? In A Theory of Justice, John Rawls, an influential political philosopher of the 20th century, attempts to provide a solution to this dilemma by presenting a hypotheticalRead MoreNozick s Version Of Libertarianism1481 Words   |  6 Pagesstatement is focus more of the earnings of people. Having a state that has an uncontrolled power over the distribution of one s wealth can result in a structure that allows others to benefit off the hard work of another. 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Motivation(Vicki) Today, with increasing globalization in the business world, many investors are looking for opportunitiesRead MoreThe And Public Health Policies1323 Words   |  6 Pages For years, it has been assumed by the vast majority of health care experts that everyone knows the guiding principle of ethics in healthcare. Everyone agrees that this guiding principle has the solid endorsement of the majority of the population. These presumptions are accepted with almost no contention or debate. In Justice in Medicine and Public Health, Rosamund Rhodes argues that â€Å"no single conception of justice explains the array of broadly endorsed medical and public health policies.† ThisRead More A Theory of Justice Presented by John Rawls Essays1556 Words   |  7 Pagesposition, a hypothetical state where people reason without bias, they would agree to live in a society based on two principles of justice (Rawls 1971, 4). These two principles of justice are named the first and second princip les. The first is the equal rights and liberties principle. The second is a combination of the difference principle and the fair equality of opportunity principle, or FEOP (Rawls 1971, 53). Rawls argues that inequality will always be inevitable in any society (Rawls 1971, 7). ForRead MoreJohn Rawls : A Theory Of Justice Essay1726 Words   |  7 Pagesadvantaged or dis advantaged in the choice of principles by the outcome of natural chance or the contingency of social circumstances. The original position is the appropriate initial status quo in which the agreements reached inside the original position MUST be fair. The key word in the previously stated sentence is fair and that’s where the veil of ignorance comes in. For example, if a man knew he was wealthy, he might find it rational to advance the principle that various taxes for welfare measures