John Rawls quotes - page 2

An individual who finds that he enjoys seeing others in positions of lesser liberty understands that he has no claim whatever to this enjoyment. (John Rawls)
Indeed, it is tempting to suppose that it is self evident that things should be so arranged so as to lead to the most good. View quote
John Rawls
It may be expedient but it is not just that some should have less in order that others may prosper. View quote
John Rawls
First of all, principles should be general. That is, it must be possible to formulate them without use of what would be intuitively recognized as proper names, or rigged definite descriptions. View quote
John Rawls
If A were not allowed his better position, B would be even worse off than he is. View quote
John Rawls
Properly understood, then, the desire to act justly derives in part from the desire to express most fully what we are or can be, namely free and equal rational beings with the liberty to choose. View quote
John Rawls
When the basic structure of society is publicly known to satisfy its principles for an extended period of time, those subject to these arrangements tend to develop a desire to act in accordance with these principles and to do their part in institutions which exemplify them. View quote
John Rawls
A conception of justice cannot be deduced from self evident premises or conditions on principles; instead, its justification is a matter of the mutual support of many considerations, of everything fitted together into one coherent view. View quote
John Rawls
We must choose for others as we have reason to believe they would choose for themselves if they were at the age of reason and deciding rationally. View quote
John Rawls
Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought. View quote
John Rawls
At best the principles that economists have supposed the choices of rational individuals to satisfy can be presented as guidelines for us to consider when we make our decisions. (John Rawls)
The even larger difference between rich and poor makes the latter even worse off, and this violates the principle of mutual advantage. View quote
John Rawls
A scheme is unjust when the higher expectations, one or more of them, are excessive. If these expectations were decreased, the situation of the less favored would be improved. View quote
John Rawls
An intuitionist conception of justice is, one might say, but half a conception. View quote
John Rawls
The difference principle, for example, requires that the higher expectations of the more advantaged contribute to the prospects of the least advantaged. View quote
John Rawls
Greater intelligence, wealth and opportunity, for example, allow a person to achieve ends he could not rationally contemplate otherwise. View quote
John Rawls
The suppression of liberty is always likely to be irrational. View quote
John Rawls
This is a long book, not only in pages. View quote
John Rawls
Justice does not require that men must stand idly by while others destroy the basis of their existence. View quote
John Rawls
Social and economic inequalities, for example inequalities of wealth and authority, are just only if they result in compensating benefits for everyone, and in particular for the least advantaged members of society. View quote
John Rawls
The first statement of the two principles reads as follows. First: each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty for others. Second: social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both(a)reasonably expected to be to everyone's advantage, and (b) attached to positions and offices open to all. (John Rawls)
The bad man desires arbitrary power. What moves the evil man is the love of injustice. View quote
John Rawls
[E]ach person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty for others. View quote
John Rawls
Certainly it is wrong to be cruel to animals and the destruction of a whole species can be a great evil. The capacity for feelings of pleasure and pain and for the form of life of which animals are capable clearly impose duties of compassion and humanity in their case. View quote
John Rawls
In justice as fairness society is interpreted as a cooperative venture for mutual advantage. View quote
John Rawls