A Theory of Justice

The most important work of political philosophy of the twentieth century, built on a single thought experiment. What principles would people choose for a society if they did not know in advance their own place in it, their wealth, their talents, their race? Behind that veil of ignorance, Rawls argued, they would choose fairness. Almost every serious later argument about justice begins by answering him. The case that a just society is one we would design without knowing where we would land.

The philosopher who wrote the most important work of political philosophy of the twentieth century. A Theory of Justice asks what principles people would choose for a society if they did not know in advance their own place in it, behind a veil of ignorance, and builds from that thought experiment a case for fairness as the first virtue of institutions. Almost every later argument about justice begins by answering him.