On some problems arising from Professor Rawls' conception of distributive justice

Abstract

This paper is concerned with two specific aspects of Professor Rawls' conception of distributive justice. In Section I Rawls' controversial difference principle is discussed in the context of individual decision under uncertainty, as well as the problem of interpersonal comparison of utilities. It is noted that, contrary to some recent accounts, Rawls' conception of the original position is considerably different from that to be found in the works of Harsanyi. In Section II an attempt is made to articulate in a precise way Rawls' intergenerational savings principle. While it is noted that the Rawlsian savings rule possesses a number of attractive properties, it is demonstrated that it conflicts with the principle of intertemporal Pareto efficiency.