John Rawls: A Theory of Justice (SoSe 2024)

John Rawls (1921-2002) is among the most influential authors of political philosophy in the 20th century. His main work, “A Theory of Justice,” published in 1971, continues to shape philosophical debates on social justice and political liberalism. Rawls seeks to clarify the principles that must govern the interactions of individuals so that a social order can be considered just. His argumentation about the principles of justice that rational individuals would agree upon in an original state of equality represents a modern revival of the contract-theoretical argument in political philosophy.