What is the point of John Rawls’ ‘original position’?

Question

What is the point of John Rawls’ ‘original position’?

Answer

John Rawls’ concept of the “original position” is a theoretical device used to determine the principles of justice that should govern a society. It is a hypothetical scenario where individuals, stripped of personal information by a “veil of ignorance,” choose the rules for society without knowing their own place within it. This ensures impartiality and fairness in the selection of principles.

Purpose of the Original Position

Selection of Justice Principles: The original position is primarily used to select principles of justice for society’s fundamental institutions. It ensures that these principles are chosen without bias, as individuals do not know their own social status, abilities, or personal preferences [1] [2] [3].

Impartial Decision-Making: By using the veil of ignorance, individuals are encouraged to make decisions that are fair and just for all, as they could end up in any position within the society they are designing [4] [5] [6].

Connection to Kantian Ethics: The original position is linked to Kant’s categorical imperative, emphasizing moral reasoning that is universal and impartial. It reflects Kantian constructivism by combining moral and realistic considerations [7].

Critique and Defense: While some argue that the original position is unrealistic or overly abstract, it is defended as a necessary modeling strategy to ensure fairness and impartiality in justice theory [3] [8].

Conclusion

The original position is a foundational concept in Rawls’ theory of justice, designed to ensure that principles of justice are chosen impartially and fairly. It serves as a thought experiment to guide the creation of a just society by removing personal biases and promoting universal fairness. Despite criticisms, it remains a significant tool in political philosophy for exploring justice and equality.

References

1. Lefebvre, A. The Spiritual Exercises of John Rawls. Political Theory. 2021; 50. https://doi.org/10.1177/00905917211041768
2. Dworkin, R. The Original Position. University of Chicago Law Review. 1973; 40. https://doi.org/10.2307/1599246
3. Coker, D. Economic Modeling in Rawls. Erasmus Journal for Philosophy and Economics. 2023 https://doi.org/10.23941/ejpe.v15i2.638
4. Rivera, J. The “Original Position” as Public Performance: Liberalism, Pluralism, and Asceticism. Religions. 2019 https://doi.org/10.3390/REL10080462
5. Simion, M. Non-probabilistic Decision Strategies Behind the Veil. The Journal of Value Inquiry. 2015; 50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10790-015-9536-3
6. Hao-Hu, J. Rawls’ “Original Position” and Its Dilemma. . 2014
7. Chen, J. Rawls’s original position and Kant’s categorical imperative procedure. South African Journal of Philosophy. 2024; 43. https://doi.org/10.1080/02580136.2023.2283673
8. Smith, L. DOES THE IDEA OF GOD BELONG IN POLITICS? A RESPONSE TO THE “POLITICAL LIBERALISM” OF JOHN RAWLS. POLITICS AND RELIGION JOURNAL. 2018 https://doi.org/10.54561/prj1202265s