Question

Read the following statements carefully and answer the following question.
i. Greater welfare of others is to be valued more than the individual freedom.
ii. Only when the conception of justice is on hand, the ideas of respect and human dignity can be given a more definite meaning.
iii. Principles of justice are derived from the ideas of respect and human dignity.
iv. The loss of freedom for some is not made right by a greater welfare of others.
In light of the theory of justice as fairness, as proposed by John Rawls, which of the following pairs of statement DO NOT agree with Rawls’s position?

• A. i and iii
• B. iii and iv
• C. ii and iv
• D. i and ii

Hint:

Rawls sharply distinguishes his theory from utilitarianism by giving priority to individual liberties

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, B, C

Step 1: Understanding Rawls’s core principle.
John Rawls’s theory of justice as fairness prioritizes equal basic liberties for all individualsThese liberties cannot be overridden by considerations of overall social welfare
Step 2: Evaluating statement (i).
Statement (i) suggests a utilitarian view where collective welfare can outweigh individual freedomThis directly contradicts Rawls’s first principle of justiceHence, statement (i) does not agree with Rawls
Step 3: Evaluating statement (iii).
Rawls argues that ideas such as respect and dignity flow from principles of justice, not the other way aroundStatement (iii) reverses this relationship and is therefore inconsistent with Rawls’s position
Step 4: Evaluating statements (ii) and (iv).
Statement (ii) aligns with Rawls’s view that justice provides the framework for understanding dignityStatement (iv) also aligns with Rawls’s rejection of sacrificing liberty for greater welfare
Step 5: Final conclusion.
Thus, statements (i) and (iii) do not agree with Rawls’s theory of justice as fairness