THE VEIL OF IGNORANCE IN JOHN RAWLS PHILOSOPHY: A CRITICAL EVALUATION

John Friday Mordi

Department of Philosophy, University of Delta, Agbor, Delta State

Abstract

Man as a social being wants and appreciates a society that gives room for effective coexistence and this is found in a just society. In his theory of justice, John Rawls opines that the principles of social justice are the fundamental requirements of a just society. For him a well-ordered society is one that has accepted the principles of justice. For there to be fairness the representing parties must remove the possibility of bias in the selection of the principles and act as if they were behind the veil of ignorance. Acting behind the “Veil of Ignorance” means acting from the original position hence, the principle of social justice can be achieved. John Rawls advocates that acting behind the veil of ignorant would ensure justice in the society. This paper aims at exposing John Rawls’ veil of ignorance as a means of entrenching social justice in human society and recommends Rawl’s theory of justice for a just society. An expository –evaluative method is used to drive home this point.

Keywords: Duties, Equality, Equity, Ignorance, Rights, Social Justice, Veil, Veil of Ignorance.