Beyond the veil - what rules would govern John Rawls's 'realistic Utopia'?
https://aeon.co/videos/beyond-the-veil-what-rules-would-govern-john-rawlss-realistic-utopia
The US philosopher John Rawls (1921-2002) is perhaps best known for his veil of ignorance thought experiment, which he first laid out in his landmark work
A Theory of Justice (1971). Envisioning a society built by rule-makers who were blind to their own identities, Rawls reasoned that structures that privilege certain classes over others would be unpopular, and a more rational and just society would emerge.
However, as this TED-Ed video illustrates,
A Theory of Justice does far more than just describe the thought experiment. Rather, Rawls articulates the policies he believes should emerge from this initial conceit, outlining a democratic government with an economic structure that allows for equal opportunity and, ultimately, only as much inequality as would benefit societys worst-off members. With stylish visuals, the animation details the ideas and ideals outlined in
A Theory of Justice, criticisms of the text raised by prominent thinkers, and the lasting impact of Rawlss groundbreaking work more than half a century after its initial publication.
Video by TED-Ed
Director: Eoin Duffy
Writer: Joseph Lacey
6 June 2024