Paul Maverick B. Ward                                                                                      

 

Contemporary Moral Problems by James E. White (7^th Edition)

Library Reference: none

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Contemporary-Moral-Problems-James-White/dp/0495553204/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1233910528&sr=1-1

 

 

Learning Expectations:

 

I expect to learn how the Theory of Justice is used by all people all over the world to gain equality and fairness between each other. I also expect to learn how justice keeps people at bay and lets them know that fairness and equality is mandatory.

 

Review:

 

            John Rawls, a professor of philosophy at Harvard University, states that there are two principles of justice. The first principle involves equality in basic liberties. The second principle involves the arrangement of social and economic inequalities. These principles are those of which people are accepting all over the world. It is widely accepted by a lot of people because of which it is beneficial to all. That is the goal of justice, to make all people equal in their own rights. Equality and fairness is what all people want for them to be able to have peace with other people. The balance that people wants is sometimes very difficult to obtain because there are some people who is selfish and is against equality. All they want is for them to be much up ahead compared to others. There is some situations where people who are having difficulties in life gets the notion that if they would take something from people who are fortunate than them, it is ok for them to take it. It is ok for them because they think that it is a way for them to be equal to those who are not less fortunate. This notion is the cause of imbalance in a place where equality and fairness is of the most sacred rule.

            With justice, there are those people who enforce the law. These people are given the authority to apprehend someone who disobeys the law. Law breakers are those people who are the cause of imbalance in a perfectly balanced area or place. Breaking the law calls for justice which helps for the apprehension to the law breaker.  

 

Lessons Learned:

 

I have learned how the Theory of Justice is used by people worldwide to enforce equality and fairness towards each other. I have also learned how justice use law enforcement to take a firm grip with people who breaks what is right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Integrative Questions:

1.  Who is John Rawls?
2.  What is the two principles of justice?
3.  What is justice?
4.  What is the difference between the two principles?
5.  How do these principles affect the way people live?

 

Review Questions:

1. Carefully explain Rawls’s conception of the original position.

-       Rawls’ conception of the original position is to have complete equality and fairness towards all people.

 

2. State and explain Rawls’s first principle of justice.

-       Rawls’ first principle of justice is that each person must have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty for other people.

 

3. State and explain the second principle. Which principle has priority such that it cannot be sacrificed?

-       Rawls’ second principle of justice is that social and economic inequalities is needed to be organized to avoid any difficulties.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. On the first principle, each person has an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty as long as this does not interfere with a similar liberty for others. What does this allow people to do? Does it mean, for example, that people have right to engage in homosexual activities as long as they don’t interfere with others? Can people produce and view pornography if it does not restrict anyone’s freedom? Are people allowed to take drugs in the privacy of their homes?

-       Yes, people can do anything they want as long as they aren’t interfering with others.

 

2. Is it possible for free and rational persons in the original position to agree upon different principles than give by Rawls? For example, why wouldn’t they agree to an equal distribution of wealth and income rather than an unequal distribution? That is, why wouldn’t they adopt socialism rather than capitalism? Isn’t socialism just as rational as capitalism?

-       It depends on the preference and beliefs of a person.