| A | B |
|---|
| John Rawls | thought we could come up with just laws if we imagined ourselves behind a veil of ignorance in which we didn't know what position or situation we were in within society |
| social contract theory | an agreement or contract between rulers and ruled about behavior in society |
| Hobbes thought human nature was basically bad | and a social contract was made with the State in which freedoms were given up in exchange for security |
| Locke thought human nature was basically good | and a social contract was made with the State to foster advancement in economics, cultural achievements, etc. |
| Rawls' theory of justice | involved going behind a "veil of ignorance" in an "original position" |
| In Rawls' original position | one did not know what demographic characteristics one had and would thus seek to create just laws for all |
| Weakness of Rawls' view | In some cases there would be disagreement about what laws would be best for someone with a given set of circumstances |
| Strength of Rawls' view | It is an advance over utilitarianism in that the majority cannot benefit at the expense of the minority |
| Example of weakness in Rawls' view | there would be disagreement over whether a law should allow taxpayer funding of an abortion for an impoverished woman who seeks an abortion but can't pay for it |
| Those in favor of repealing the Hyde Amendment | would advocate for taxpayer funding of abortions just like there is taxpayer funding of education |
| Those in favor of keeping the Hyde Amendment | would say taxpayers should have a right not to have to pay for abortions they deem ethically wrong |
