UNIVERSITY OF BOHOL

GRADUATE STUDIES

BOOK REVIEW REPORT ON ADVANCE PHILOSOPHY OF

EDUCATION
OCTOBER 27, 2023

Report submitted to
Dr. Amelia L. Cortidor
1st Semester SY 2023- 2024

AMELIA L. CORTIDOR
Master of Arts Educational Management
 Justice as Fairness, which is composed of two principles, is the name given by
Rawls to his theory of social justice. He has modified the phrasing of these concepts
multiple times since he initially wrote A Theory of Justice. In 2001, he released his
most recent version. In summarizing the book here are some points of the principle
of justice:
The first social justice rule relates to political institutions:
Each individual has an unassailable [permanent] right to a completely adequate
system of basic liberties that is consistent with the same system of rights for
everyone. Rawls acknowledged that everyone had the right to own private property,
including businesses and employees. The ownership of the "means of production"
(such as mines, factories, and farms) was left out, though. He also neglected to
mention the right to inherit money. He believed that these were not fundamental
liberties. Therefore, restricting the liberties of an intolerant group that aimed to
undermine the liberties of others may be acceptable. Rawls acknowledged that basic
liberties might be limited, but "only for the sake of liberty."
The Second Principle of social justice concerns social and economic institutions:
The equality was the focus of the Second Principle. Rawls came to the
conclusion that social inequality could not be prevented. A person's socioeconomic
class, personal motivation, genetic traits, and even luck can all contribute to
inequality. Even Nevertheless, Rawls argued that a just society should seek out
ways to lessen inequality in those situations when it has the power to do so.
When Rawls used the term "offices and positions" in his Second Principle, he
specifically meant the top positions in both the private and public sectors of the
economy. He stated that in order for society to provide "fair equality of opportunity,"
these positions should be "open" to everyone, and one way to do this would be to do
away with discrimination. Another strategy would be to make education accessible to
everybody.
Rawls supported maximizing the advancement of the "least-advantaged" group
in society in accordance with the Difference Principle. He would do this not simply by
ensuring "fair equality of opportunity," but also via other means, such as a minimum
salary or guaranteed minimum income (whichever he preferred). The Difference
Principle, according to Rawls, gives his theory of social justice a liberal bent.
Finally, Rawls rated his social justice principles according to their importance.
Priority is given to the First Principle ("basic liberties") above the Second Principle.
The first part of the Second Principle—"fair equality of opportunity"—takes
precedence over the second part (the Difference Principle). But he thought that in
order to have a just society, the First and Second Principles must be combined.

According to this idea, everyone is guaranteed the same fundamental liberties,

which cannot be restricted. The majority of American liberties were incorporated by
Rawls. Bill of Rights, including the freedom of speech and the right to due process.
He added a few freedoms from the larger category of human rights, such the right to
travel freely.
In "Justice and Fairness," John Rawls examines the idea of justice and how it
relates to fairness in an effort to provide answers to important queries about the
composition of society and the allocation of resources. The notion of justice as
fairness is developed by Rawls throughout his ground-breaking work, with a focus on
the values people would choose if they were unaware of their future social status. By
doing this, Rawls develops a paradigm in which the fairness of the system for
distributing social goods—rather than the outcomes of society—determines what
constitutes justice.
In order to address the issue of justice, Rawls proposes the original position,
which is a hypothetical scenario in which everyone has equal access to information
but is unaware of their social status or personal traits. People are able to make
impartial decisions that promote fairness and justice because they are protected
from the influence of personal prejudices by this veil of ignorance. The equal basic
freedoms principle and the principle of difference, according to Rawls, are the two
principles of justice that reasonable people in the original position would choose as
the cornerstones of a just society. While the latter allows for inequities in the
allocation of social and economic assets only provided they help the least
advantaged members of society, the former guarantees equal rights and liberties for
all people.
In contrast to utilitarianism, Rawls' theory of justice as fairness places a higher
value on fairness than on maximizing enjoyment in society. According to Rawls, the
most vulnerable and weakest people of society should be shielded and given some
fundamental rights. As it strikes a balance between individual rights and social
responsibilities, this strategy demonstrates intellect and comprehension. Rawls'
theory gives a clear and sophisticated view of justice that calls for a close
investigation of societal systems in order to attain true fairness for all by prioritizing
fairness in the distribution of resources.
Rawls opposes conventional ideas of utilitarianism and advocates for a society in
which fairness takes precedence over maximizing overall happiness by putting out
the original stance and the theory of justice as fairness. His focus on safeguarding
society's most defenseless individuals demonstrates both intelligence and
comprehension, as it takes a profound awareness of the intricate dynamics of justice
to build a society that is really fair for all.
In addition to challenging conventional utilitarianism, Rawls' theory of justice as
fairness provides a convincing alternative that puts the welfare of all people first. In
order to address the innate inequalities that exist, Rawls emphasizes the protection
of society's most vulnerable people. He aims to do this by ensuring that opportunities
and resources are distributed fairly. This strategy shows how well-versed in the
problems of justice Rawls is and how dedicated he is to building a society that is truly
egalitarian.
 Furthermore, by prioritizing fairness, Rawls understands that increasing overall
pleasure may not necessarily result in a just result because it may result in the
neglect of specific people's interests and rights. In this way, Rawls' theory offers a
stimulating framework for reassessing our perception of justice and aiming to create
a society that is more inclusive and fair.
In that being said to being a theoretical idea, Rawls' notion of justice as fairness
serves as a practical manual for both individuals and legislators. It motivates us to
investigate critically and work actively to destroy the systems and institutions that
support inequality. Rawls urges us to confront the underlying causes of social and
economic inequalities by acknowledging that justice necessitates more than just an
equitable distribution of resources. This entails addressing problems like systematic
racism, gender inequality, and unequal access to healthcare and education. The
idea of Rawls serves as a reminder that obtaining justice necessitates continuous
work as well as a dedication to always reevaluating and enhancing our society. It
asks for a shared obligation to make sure that everyone has equitable access to
opportunities and an opportunity to succeed.
The social contract that places the needs of society's most defenseless citizens
first is essential, according to Rawls' notion of justice as fairness. It exhorts us to
think about how our choices will affect people who are underprivileged and
marginalized. This viewpoint pushes decision-makers to adopt social and economic
equality-promoting policies while also taking into account the particular situations
and difficulties that various groups experience. It encourages people to actively
participate in acts of empathy and solidarity, strengthening a sense of shared
responsibility and community. The idea of Rawls serves as a timely reminder that
obtaining justice is a process that calls for constant reflection, discussion, and action.
By embracing the principles of justice as fairness, we can strive towards a more
equitable and inclusive society for all.
Rawls' theory of justice as fairness emphasizes how critical it is to overcome
systematic injustices that support social and economic inequities. To ensure that
everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed, it advocates for the redistribution of
resources and opportunities. This entails eliminating prejudices and discriminatory
behaviors that impede the advancement of underprivileged communities in addition
to ensuring equitable access to jobs, healthcare, and education. We can build a
society in which everyone may prosper and contribute to the well-being of the group
by acknowledging and addressing these structural inequalities. The theory of John
Rawls serves as a timely reminder that real justice necessitates a dedication to
actively contesting and changing the structures that support inequality.
The requirement for a thorough approach to social justice is also emphasized by
Rawls' idea of justice as fairness. It acknowledges that resolving underlying
inequities entails more than just resource distribution. It necessitates a closer look
at the social structures and underlying power dynamics that support inequality. This
entails confronting not only economic inequalities but also ingrained cultural biases
and conventions. It advocates for a culture that respects diversity and inclusivity,
where people are given equal chances as well as respect and appreciation for their
particular contributions. The theory of Rawls serves as a timely reminder that real
justice necessitates a comprehensive and transformational strategy that tackles the
underlying causes of inequality.
Additionally, Rawls' theory of justice as fairness emphasizes the significance of
developing a society that supports equal access to fundamental freedoms and rights.
This entails making sure that everyone has equitable access to social, medical, and
educational opportunities. The removal of obstacles that prohibit underprivileged
groups from fully participating in social, political, and economic realms is another
aspect of it. The idea of Rawls encourages us to understand how different types of
inequality are interconnected and to work for a society where everyone can succeed
regardless of their background or identity. It urges the adoption of laws and
procedures that vehemently oppose discrimination and advance inclusion at all
societal levels. We may try to create a more fair and just world for everyone by
accepting Rawls' comprehensive theory of justice.
Also, in order to overcome systematic disparities, Rawls' theory of justice as
fairness emphasizes the need for a redistribution of wealth and resources. In order to
achieve this, policies that aim to lessen income inequalities and offer a safety net for
individuals who are economically disadvantaged must be put in place. We can build
a society where everyone has the chance to prosper by ensuring that resources are
distributed fairly. Furthermore, Rawls' theory urges us to think about how our
decisions and policies will affect future generations in the long run. It serves as a
reminder of our obligation to save the environment and advance environmentally
friendly lifestyles in order to protect the planet's population in the future. Thus, we
may create a more just and sustainable world that benefits not just the current
generation but also future generations.
Rawls' idea of justice as fairness challenges us to consider the institutions and
systems that support inequality seriously. It demands reexamining power
relationships and removing repressive structures that disadvantage particular
communities. To confront and change societal conventions and prejudices that
obstruct equal opportunities for all people, we must work together. We can build a
more equal society where everyone's rights and dignity are recognized by actively
pursuing inclusivity and social justice.
In order to redress socioeconomic inequalities, redistributive justice is crucial,
according to Rawls' view of justice as fairness. It emphasizes the requirement for
laws and plans aiming to lessen wealth and income disparities, guaranteeing that
everyone has access to necessities and chances for advancement. This
necessitates a comprehensive strategy that incorporates social welfare programs,
equitable taxes, and expenditures on healthcare and education. By putting these
strategies into practice, we can work toward creating a society where everyone,
regardless of background or circumstance, has an equal opportunity to succeed and
prosper.
There are three things to keep in mind. First, justice is regarded as a quality of
social institutions (henceforth "practices"), and its primary purpose is distribution.
Some explanations. Justice is only taken into account when it pertains to social
institutions because it is "basic" in this regard and once its principles are established,
it can be simply applied to other "subjects of justice" like individuals or specific
actions. The word "practice" is a technical phrase that refers to any type of action
that is prescribed by a set of regulations that establishes offices, duties, and moves.
It gives the action its structure and includes penalties, defenses, and other factors
Since they already have a set of procedures in place, this society of rational, self-
interested, and similarly situated individuals might be envisaged routinely discussing
grievances about the practices they have established. By allowing each person to
offer the guiding principles he believes complaints should be judged on, they first
create the standards by which their complaints will be evaluated. This is done with
the idea that once the guidelines are adopted, they will apply to every situation going
forward. This clause forbids using concepts that would be particularly helpful for a
specific complaint because, if used, they would apply to everyone and every
complaint that might occur.
This hypothetical story's two components have clear significance. The common
situations in which problems of justice arise are depicted in the first section. These
situations occur when parties insisting on what they believe to be their rights exert
competing demands on the design of a practice. The restrictions that force people to
act rationally are represented by the second section. The limitations are those of
morality, which at the very least involve acknowledgment of (a) the need to pursue
values even when doing so goes against one's self-interest and (b) the need for
principles to be applied equally to all.
In conclusion, "Justice and Fairness," by John Rawls, offers a provocative
examination of justice and the connection between fairness and societal structure. It
is sufficient to say at this point that having moral standards is comparable to having
made a definite commitment in advance since one must acknowledge moral values
even when they work against them. Someone whose moral judgments consistently
aligned with his interests may be thought to lack morals altogether. It is clear how the
two justice principles outlined at the beginning of Section II might apply given the
circumstances and restrictions outlined in the two portions. This just demonstrates
that those two principles could be chosen, not that they will certainly be chosen in
the future. Furthermore, Rawls contends that acknowledging and upholding
individual rights and liberties is essential to achieving justice as fairness. He stresses
the significance of making sure that everyone has equal access to political and social
freedoms as well as the chance to take part in decisions that have an impact on their
lives. This entails securing the rights to free speech, assembly, and association as
well as to minority rights protection and inclusion promotion. According to Rawls, a
truly fair and inclusive society is one that not only resolves socioeconomic
inequalities but also preserves the principles of political and social equality.