The Influences of Utilitarianism on Rawls Theory of Justice

Abstract

Concerning political philosophy during the second half of the 20th century, Rawls theory of justice stands out, particularly in its critique of utilitarianism. The currency of utilitarianism deeply influences the emergence of Rawls veil of ignorance and two principles of justice. Classical utilitarianism provides Rawls with a theoretical framework, informing him with the importance of predominant criteria to govern a society. While the fact remains that the impairment of individual rights, which is inherited in classical utilitarianism for maximizing the collective welfare, has long been denounced by liberals. To address this, Rawls introduces the social contract theory, arguing for the priority of the right over the good. Whereas the prevalent of average utilitarianism brought Rawls to notice with shortcomings among the traditional version of social contract. By applying the veil of ignorance as an approach of justification, Rawls refutes two premises of average utilitarianism, which are the law of insufficient reason and the analogous preferences of social members. This lays a foundation for his two principles of justice, the greatest equal liberty principle and the difference principle. Justice as fairness incorporates the merits of utilitarianism, providing liberalism with a constructive force, concurrently elucidating the defects of utilitarianism. Accordingly, Rawls argument effectively challenges utilitarianism, coupled with failings of utilitarians to deal persuasive counterattacks, as a consequence, bringing a shift of the dominant in political philosophy from utilitarianism towards liberalism.