Justice as Fairness: A Closer Look

1. Justice as Fairness: A Closer Look by Tom Lupkie James Noonan Brian Rodriguez October 6, 2008 A-115, Professor Charles Willie

2. Before we begin… Please look at the following list. Using the index card we will give you, please choose one or two things from the list that you believe you are good at: • Fundraising • Motivating others • Goal setting • Being frugal with money • Public speaking • Negotiation • Multi-tasking • Public relations

3. Justice as Fairness:Our Perspective on the Big Picture The theory attempts to define the scope of an ideal society, not necessarily the one we see from day to day.

4. Recurring Terms Rawls defines and uses many terms throughout his work, including: • Two principles of justice • Equal basic liberties • The “difference principle” • Native endowments as a common asset

5. Two Principles of Justice The first principle: the idea that everyone in a society has the same set of “equal basic liberties” • The liberties must be compatible with the liberties of others • These liberties are constitutional essentials Justice as Fairness, p. 42

6. A person’s equal basic liberties encompass the following: Political liberty Liberty of conscience Freedom of association Freedom of thought The First Principle Justice as Fairness, p. 44-45

7. How are these liberties created and secured? Constituent power (i.e., the constitution) Institutional power (i.e., government institutions) The First Principle Justice as Fairness, p. 46

8. Two Principles of Justice The second principle: in order for social and economic inequalities to be permissible in a society that embodies justice as fairness, they must satisfy two conditions… Justice as Fairness, p. 42

9. There is fair access and “equality of opportunity” to attain any offices or positions of influence. Those in these positions use them for the greatest benefit of those who are least advantaged. The Second Principle Two conditions: Justice as Fairness, p. 42-43

10. The Second Principle For example, compensatory policies in education funding or affirmative action The second condition is also known as the “Difference Principle” Justice as Fairness, p. 42-43

11. Two Principles of Justice • Everyone in a society has the same equal basic liberties. • In order to inequality to be permissible in this society, two conditions must be met: equal access to positions of influence & the use of these positions for those who are least advantaged. Justice as Fairness, p. 43, 111

12. Native Endowments A person’s native endowments is their set of unique talents or skills. These endowments may come naturally or be the result of education or training. Justice as Fairness, p. 74-75

13. Native Endowmentsand the Difference Principle The difference principle says a person’s native endowments should be applied to benefit those individuals who are the least advantaged. Justice as Fairness, p. 75

14. Native Endowmentsas a Common Asset Taken together, native endowments become a common asset. Justice as Fairness, p. 74-75

15. Our Native Endowments • Fundraising • Motivating others • Goal setting • Being frugal with money • Public speaking • Negotiation • Multi-tasking • Public relations

16. Discussion Questions • Many of us know that those in positions of influence do not always use their power for the benefit of the least advantaged, as Rawls’ “difference principle” demands. Given the gap between theory and reality, do you believe that Rawls presumes too much about people’s best intentions? Why or why not? • If you were in a position of influence, would you voluntarily allocate resources for quotas or other compensatory policies? What does your answer tell us about Rawls’ theory? • What other movements in history also demonstrate the concept of “native endowments as a common asset”? Are there movements that have failed because they could not marshal the group’s native endowments effectively?