Research In Reasoning Methods Of Rawls' Justice Theory

Rawls enjoys a doubtless high position in today's academic circle. To such a great thinker, a thorough study to his theory and his innovation of research method is significant to not only the development of china's academic research, but also the construction of socialist justice system.The analysis of both at home and abroad shows that the research level to Rawls' theory is continuously deepening and the contents are more and more wide. Through the study of all the researches both at home and abroad, we find out that they mostly concentrate on theoretical interpretation but not focus enough on his reasoning methods. From a range view, the current researches are only focus on one of his reasoning methods, there is no discussion on differences and relations among all of his methods, thereby it is hard to point out the intrinsic connection among all the methods. From a depth view, the current researches are limited in a descriptive discussion, there is no argument about the deeper foundation which lies behind the reasoning methods. As we know, a large part of justice theory is contained in reasoning process and the reasoning methods are a important component to Rawls' theory. Therefore, in order to better understand his theory, we cannot ignore his reasoning methods.Based on the above reasons, the article converts a research perspective:it interprets the justice theory from the angle of reasoning methods, so not only it can solve the problem which is not adequate to the research on reasoning methods, but also it can bring out more profound understanding toward the development of reasoning methods and the coherence of various reasoning methods, thus it can enhance the depth and width of Rawls' theory.Firstly, the thesis summarizes what Rawls think about his reasoning methods of justice theory and then clarifies the relationship between the theory and the reasoning methods. Through the discussion, we believes that in Rawls' theory, he uses four reasoning methods, which are intuitionistism, contractualism, reflective equilibrium and constructivism. And then we decide to do our research on these four reasoning methods. Focus on this topic, the thesis would describe the meaning of all reasoning methods, not only to discuss the relationship between each reasoning methods and theory, but also to discuss the relationship among the various reasoning methods; not only to explore the rationality and coherence among reasoning methods in justice theory, but also to try to reveal the philosophical foundation behind the reasoning methods. The study shows that intuitionistism, contractualism, reflective equilibrium and constructivism all exist on different levels as reasoning methods of justice theory. Intuitionistism play an irreplaceable role in the construction of justice theory, although it has defects in process of reasoning; Contractualism, especially the general agreement criterion provides rational demonstration for the universal principles of justice; Constructivism as an integration of all kinds of reasoning methods,it makes justice principles more realistic in a society of order; Reflective equilibrium continuously introspect and correct the justice theory, which makes justice idea get demonstrated at both personal level and public level. Some methods exist at certain stage for particular theory problems, some exist in the whole theory; these methods are relatively independent and can support each other mutually, which makes them keep coherent among each other.Finally, through the discussion, we think that the philosophy foundation of Rawls' justice theory is the western rationalism method. Through analyzing the rationalism methods in Rawls' context, the thesis summaries the characteristics of Rawls' rationalism method, and discusses the limitation of rationalism methods in justice theory. The paper shows that it is hard to make justice principles universal in today's society, because human's rational cognition to the world is always limited and it is impossible for human beings to surpass this limitation.