Liberal Theories Of Justice Research Articles

Real People (Natural Differences and the Scope of Justice)

The idea that a just political system must ignore or nullify socially caused initial advantages in competing for positions and other social benefits is as old as political philosophy itself. Plato called for social mobility among his classes so that all could gravitate toward the classes for which their temperaments naturally suited them. The idea that the system must take positive steps to correct for these differences among individuals is likewise as old as the concept of public education, the supposed great equalizer. But the claim that society must correct also for natural differences among individuals – differences in intelligence, talents, beauty, and physical prowess – is far more recent, having been articulated most forcefully by Rawls. The reasoning underlying this further step toward a more radical notion of equal opportunity appeals to the fact that natural differences are equally arbitrary from a moral point of view as a basis for differential rewards as are socially caused differences. A person no more deserves to be born smart than rich. Why then should the former but not the latter be allowed to influence future benefits and rewards? A negative answer, however, creates a tension within a liberal theory of justice between the demand to nullify natural differences, or to use them to the benefit of those least well endowed, and the demand to respect distinct individuals that supposedly grounds such a theory.

Brian Barry, The Liberal Theory of Justice; A Critical Examination of the Principal Doctrines of a Theory of Justice by John Rawls, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1973, x+ 168 pp., Ɫ 3.25.

Brian Barry, The Liberal Theory of Justice; A Critical Examination of the Principal Doctrines of a Theory of Justice by John Rawls, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1973, x+ 168 pp., Ɫ 3.25.

With Equality & Virtue for All: John Rawls & the Liberal Tradition

Philip Abbott takes a fresh look at the much-discussed work of John Rawls. He sees the most important reason for the often vehement criticism in the firm grounding of Rawls' political premises in the liberal tradition and undertakes a critical evaluation of Rawls' thesis in terms of the chief elements of that tradition. Rawls' original contribution is the introduction of the concepts of equality and virtue into a liberal theory of justice. The problem lies in the liberal suspicion of equality, which has made a mockery of liberal justice, as well as in the liberal rejection of virtue as a political good. Abbott argues that Rawls' attempt fails since virtue and equality in effect nullify each other. What he finds thought-provoking and valuable in Rawls' work is that it stimulates a reconsideration of the liberal vision and of the ability of liberal society to survive in the sense intended by liberals.

REVIEWS

Journal of Chinese PhilosophyVolume 3, Issue 2 p. 195-208 REVIEWS First published: March 1976 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6253.1976.tb00389.xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract Book reviewed in this article: Jack Pustilnick and Dale Riepe, The Structure of Philosophy Herbert Fingarette, Confucius: The Secular as Sacred Brian Barry, The Liberal Theory of Justice; A Critical Examination of the Principal Doctrines of a Theory of Justice by John Rawls Volume3, Issue2March 1976Pages 195-208 RelatedInformation

Book Review: The Liberal Theory of Justice

Book Review: The Liberal Theory of Justice

Reviews: The Study of Government: Political Science and Public Administration, The Psychology of Politics, The Politics of Communication: A Study in the Political Sociology of Language, Socialization and Legitimation, The Structure of Social Science: A Philosophical Introduction, Political Learning, Political Choice and Democratic Citizenship, The Political Character of Adolescence: The Influence of Families and Schools, Mathematical Approaches to Politics, Funktionsanalyse

Reviews: The Study of Government: Political Science and Public Administration, The Psychology of Politics, The Politics of Communication: A Study in the Political Sociology of Language, Socialization and Legitimation, The Structure of Social Science: A Philosophical Introduction, Political Learning, Political Choice and Democratic Citizenship, The Political Character of Adolescence: The Influence of Families and Schools, Mathematical Approaches to Politics, Funktionsanalyse

The Liberal Theory of Justice: A Critical Examination of the Principal Doctrines in a Theory of Justice by John Rawls.

The Liberal Theory of Justice: A Critical Examination of the Principal Doctrines in a Theory of Justice by John Rawls.

Brian Barry, The Liberal Theory of Justice: A Critical Examination of the Principal Doctrines in A Theory of Justice by John Rawls, Clarendon Press, Oxford University Press, London, 1973. x + 169 pp. £3.25, paper £1.00.

Brian Barry, The Liberal Theory of Justice: A Critical Examination of the Principal Doctrines in A Theory of Justice by John Rawls, Clarendon Press, Oxford University Press, London, 1973. x + 169 pp. £3.25, paper £1.00. - Volume 4 Issue 2

Book Review: The Liberal Theory of Justice

Book Review: <i>The Liberal Theory of Justice</i>

The Liberal Theory of Justice by Brian Barry (Clarendon Press; 168 pp.; $3.95)

The Liberal Theory of Justice by Brian Barry (Clarendon Press; 168 pp.; $3.95)

Brian Barry, The Liberal Theory of Justice: A Critical Examination of the Principal Doctrines in A Theory of Justice by John Rawls. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1973, pp. x, 169.

Brian Barry, The Liberal Theory of Justice: A Critical Examination of the Principal Doctrines in A Theory of Justice by John Rawls. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1973, pp. x, 169.

The Liberal Theory of Justice

The Liberal Theory of Justice