A Quote from John Rawls: Our Theorist of This Week

“Each person possesses an inviolability founded on justice that even the welfare of society as a whole cannot override. For this reason justice denies that the loss of freedom for some is made right by a greater good shared by others. It does not allow that the sacrifices imposed on a few are outweighed by the larger sum of advantages enjoyed by many. Therefore in a just society the liberties of equal citizenship are taken as settled.”

-John Rawls

This week we are looking at the work of John Rawls. (Next week we will be discussing someone new). This quote from Rawls emphasizes the importance of individual rights and justice within a society. It embraces a core belief that every person has an inherent and inviolable value and that belief is based on an ideal of justice. Even if it benefits society as a whole, this value cannot be disregarded or overridden. The quote argues that justice does not justify sacrificing the freedom of a few individuals for the supposed greater good of others. It rejects the idea that the advantages enjoyed by many can outweigh the sacrifices imposed on a few. In a just society, equal liberties for all citizens are considered fundamental and non-negotiable.

There are a few ways to interpret this quote. Two are: as a social liberal or as a classical liberal.

Classical liberalism is the earliest form of liberalism that emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries. It emphasizes limited government intervention in individual and economic affairs, protection of individual rights and liberties, free markets, and the rule of law.

Social liberalism places a greater emphasis on social justice, equality, and the role of the state in addressing socioeconomic disparities. It supports a mixed economy, and government intervention to promote equal opportunities and protect vulnerable groups.

One could interpret this quote as a social liberal meaning it upholds the value of helping the least advantaged. It rejects the idea that disadvantaging a few less fortunate people to advantage the wealthy is right. In this case the rights of the minority matter even though something benefits the majority. The idea that if something benefits the majority it is the ethical or moral thing is called utilitarianism. This quote rejects utilitarianism by emphasizing the importance of individual rights and justice, even if it means sacrificing the overall welfare or happiness of society. Since utilitarianism is a moral theory that promotes the greatest overall happiness or utility for the greatest number of people, it often involves making calculations to determine the best course of action based on maximizing overall welfare. However, the quote argues that justice cannot be overridden by the principle of maximizing utility or the good of the majority. It asserts that the loss of freedom for some individuals cannot be justified by the greater good experienced by others. In a just society, individual rights and liberties are considered essential and cannot be sacrificed for the sake of utilitarian goals.

Or one could interpret it as a classical liberal. Classical liberalism would likely interpret this quote in alignment with its core principles. Again, classical liberalism emphasizes limited government intervention, individual rights, and personal freedom. It values the protection of individual liberties above social equality.

In interpreting the quote, classical liberals would agree with the notion that justice is grounded in the inviolability of each person's rights and that these rights cannot be overridden, even for the supposed welfare of society as a whole. Classical liberals prioritize the preservation of individual freedom and would oppose sacrificing the freedom of a few wealthy people for the benefit of many working class people for example.

Moreover, classical liberalism would align with the idea that a just society recognizes and upholds the liberties of equal citizenship as a settled principle. This perspective emphasizes the importance of treating all individuals equally, regardless of their background or circumstances. This leads to the idea that you should be blind to or not consider the impact of one’s race on their life when considering college admissions for instance.

In summary, classical liberalism would view this quote as reinforcing the importance of individual rights, justice, and the preservation of personal freedoms within society. It would view it as justifying things like capitalism and the right of a few to thrive at the expense of many.