<P> A Theory of Justice is a work of political philosophy and ethics by John Rawls , in which the author attempts to solve the problem of distributive justice ( the socially just distribution of goods in a society ) by utilising a variant of the familiar device of the social contract . The resultant theory is known as `` Justice as Fairness '' , from which Rawls derives his two principles of justice . Together , they dictate that society should be structured so that the greatest possible amount of liberty is given to its members , limited only by the notion that the liberty of any one member shall not infringe upon that of any other member . Secondly , inequalities either social or economic are only to be allowed if the worst off will be better off than they might be under an equal distribution . Finally , if there is such a beneficial inequality , this inequality should not make it harder for those without resources to occupy positions of power , for instance public office . </P>
<P> A Theory of Justice is a work of political philosophy and ethics by John Rawls , in which the author attempts to solve the problem of distributive justice ( the socially just distribution of goods in a society ) by utilising a variant of the familiar device of the social contract . The resultant theory is known as `` Justice as Fairness '' , from which Rawls derives his two principles of justice . Together , they dictate that society should be structured so that the greatest possible amount of liberty is given to its members , limited only by the notion that the liberty of any one member shall not infringe upon that of any other member . Secondly , inequalities either social or economic are only to be allowed if the worst off will be better off than they might be under an equal distribution . Finally , if there is such a beneficial inequality , this inequality should not make it harder for those without resources to occupy positions of power , for instance public office . </P>
who wrote the book a theory of justice
who wrote the book a theory of justice
John Rawls
John Rawls