Module 9
Please read the following:
A. In Chapter 8 on Justice, read the introduction pp. 535-536 and Section A: The Problem of Justice. pp. 537-538.
B. Also read Section E: Fairness and Entitlement, pp. 563-569. Section E covers John Rawls’ theory of justice, and Robert Nozick’s libertarian “entitlement theory” of justice.
Please answer the following questions:
Question 1: What is retributive justice about?
Answer 1:
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Question 2: Justice is about more than retributive justice. What are the other main issues that justice is concerned with? (See Section A)
Answer 2:
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Question 3: Rawls’s theory of justice is a social contract theory. He wants to show what fair principles of justice we would all agree to live under before entering any society. But before we choose the principles, Rawls asks us to image ourselves as being equal in what he calls “the original position.” Explain what the original position is and what purpose it serves in his theory. (See page 563.)
Answer 3:
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Question 4: Do you think that Rawls’ idea of having us imagine we are in the original position is a good way to determine what principles of justice would be fair to everyone? Explain why or why not.
Answer 4:
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Question 5: From the textbook, quote the two principles of justice that Rawls states we would all agree to live under (imagining that we are choosing in the original position).
Answer 5:
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Question 6: According to Rawls’ first principle of justice, everyone would agree to living in a society that gives to everyone an equal share of liberty and opportunity. Liberty and opportunity will be distributed equally. Would you agree to this principle (imagine you are in the original position)? Explain why or why not.
Answer 6:
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Question 7: According to Rawls’ second principle of justice, we would accept social and economic (wealth) inequalities only if these inequalities would be for the benefit of everyone, especially the worst-off members of society. In other words, economic inequalities would not be acceptable if there were a different distribution of wealth that would be better for everyone. Would you agree to this principle (imagine you are in the original position)? Explain why or why not.
Answer 7:
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Question 8: Nozick, in his libertarian “entitlement theory,” argues for a “minimal state.” Explain what the minimal state does and what it doesn’t do. (pp. 566-567)
Answer 8:
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Question 9: State and explain the three principles of Nozick’s entitlement theory.
Answer 9:
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Question 10: How does Nozick’s libertarian entitlement theory of justice go against Rawls’ theory of justice? What Rawlsian principle does Nozick reject and why?
Answer 10:
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Question 11: According to the Federal Reserve 2019 data, the top 10% of American households own 76% of all the wealth in the country. The bottom 50% of American households own only 1% of all the wealth in the country. The bottom 5% of American households have negative wealth.
Do you think that this inequality in the distribution of our wealth violates Rawls’ second principle of justice (in other words, do you think the existing distribution is unjust because there is a different distribution of wealth that would be better for everyone, especially the worst-off) or do you think that this unequal distribution of wealth is completely just and fair, perhaps fitting Nozick’s conception of justice, because you think everyone has gotten exactly what they fairly worked for, contracted for, and deserve? Or perhaps you have a different view about the justice of this inequality. Explain and defend your view, and say what should be done about our inequality of wealth if anything.
Answer 11
