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The Evolution Of Rawls' Justice Theory In The Constitutional Tradition

Posted on:2004-10-04Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:S S LiuFull Text:PDF
GTID:2156360095452268Subject:Foreign philosophy
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
John Rawls, well-acknowledged for his theory of justice, though limited in numbers on works, dedicates his life to the thinking of social justice. Due to the sense of question, he stages the aspect of periodic modification and transformation. In view of this, the author studies the establishment and evolution of his theory from the perspective of the western constitutional tradition after reading and absorbing its original research findings. I hold the view that it is of great importance to restore and advance the inclination of appeal in the constitutinal idea expressed in the tradition of classic social contract, by which the western liberalism political philosophy shall be returned normally to the constitutionalism. If the basic advocate in A Theory of Justice are based upon a critique to the justice conception of utilitarianlism, the political liberalism upon the standpoint of criticizing its universalism to achieve the theoretical transformation. While the indepth cause of its transformation lies in the in-built request of the justice principle on constitutional democatic system of government, the request which crashes with the universalism standpoint conveyed by A Theory of Justice. Therefore, in Political Liberalism, it practices the "Political Segregation" on the Justice Theory, shifting from the concept of fairness as justice, a part of comprehensive moral philosophy, to an freestanding political idea of justice. The author believe that placing the evolution of Rawls' justice theory in the constitution traditon is conducive to better capture the essence of its theory as the justice of constitutionalism, and meanwhile, to promote the understanding of the substance of political reason in modern western liberalism, that is: seeking political consensus in pluralized society on the basis of the lowest value. The study of the Rawls' constitutional justice should better serve the Chinese constitutional construction in its crucial transitional period.
Keywords/Search Tags:Rawls, A theory of justice, Constitutional tradition
PDF Full Text Request
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