Rawls's 'A Theory of Justice': An Introduction (Cambridge Introductions to Key Philosophical Texts)

Mandle, Jon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521646677 ISBN 13: 9780521646673

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2009

A Theory of Justice, by John Rawls, is widely regarded as the most important twentieth-century work of Anglo-American political philosophy. It transformed the field by offering a compelling alternative to the dominant utilitarian conception of social justice. The argument for this alternative is, however, complicated and often confusing. In this book Jon Mandle carefully reconstructs Rawls's argument, showing that the most common interpretations of it are often mistaken. For example, Rawls does not endorse welfare-state capitalism, and he is not a 'luck egalitarian' as is widely believed. Mandle also explores the relationship between A Theory of Justice and the developments in Rawls's later work, Political Liberalism, as well as discussing some of the most influential criticisms in the secondary literature. His book will be an invaluable guide for anyone seeking to engage with this ground-breaking philosophical work.

Book Description:

John Rawls's A Theory of Justice transformed the field of political philosophy by offering a compelling alternative to the dominant utilitarian conception of social justice. This book carefully reconstructs Rawls's argument, and will be an invaluable guide for anyone seeking to engage with this ground-breaking philosophical work.

About the Author:

Jon Mandle is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the State University of New York, Albany. His previous publications include What's Left of Liberalism? An Interpretation and Defense of Justice as Fairness (2000) and Global Justice (2006).