On The Method Of Reflective Equilibrium In Rawls' Theory Of Justice

John Rawls is one of the most important representatives in the 20th century Western political philosophy. There are not many writings in his lifetime, but his theory of justice as fairness has had a tremendous impact in the Western ideological. In his theory ,the method of reflective equilibrium as a demonstration runs through and is just an integral part. Without it the theory of justice theoretical assumptions circumstance-"original position" and "veil of ignorance" will be meaningless; Without it as the core of principles of justice can not be justiyied. Therefore, systematic studies of the method of "reflective equilibrium" can not only enrich our philosophy and methodology, but also deepen the understanding of the Theory of Justice of Rawls.Presently, scholars at home and abroad has aroused the widespread concern of the Theory of Justice Rawls, but the "reflective equilibrium" have little specialized research. In the view of that, this dissertation from four angels analyses the idea of the reflective equilibrium systematically, so that people can understand and master it more comprehensively ,more precisely and more objectively.The first part of this dissertation analyses the proposal of the "reflections equilibrium ". As a method through the beginning to the end of theory of justice, the establishment of "reflective equilibrium" is the inevitable requirement. The core of Rawls' theory is his two principles of justice . In a state of the supposed background ----originalposition, as a fair contract they had been selected, and this fair contract based on a contract theory. But it is in a high degree of abstraction,so justification must be used in the principles .However the traditional methods do nothing on it. And at this time, the method of intuition was popular in the academic. Inspired it Rawls had proposed his " reflective equilibrium ".In the second part, we detail the basic content of the method of reflective equilibrium, from its notation, classification and characteristics. In simple term , reflective equilibrium is a method that support of many thoughts and mutual suitable among all factors together constitute a coherent view . Specifically it divides into broad and narrow reflective equilibrium. The former is a broader reflection , it formed in the process of comprehensive considering of all relevant ethical principles, concepts, and seeking arguments for overlapping consensus in the process of formation. The latter from a small-scale, it is only a minimum for the initial judgement of the specific changes. Whether broad or narrow reflective equilibrium, as a demonstration method, which was characterized by balanced reflection of the method itself, all of which have the following features: First, the demonstration started from the two ends. second, it is a process of continuous improvement is relative balance, and balance is not static. third, and its essence is a justificationist therory.The third part is to understand and grasp the reflective equilibrium from the use of it in the theory of justice . The method of reflective equilibrium through the beginning to the end of Rawls' theory of justice . the proof of the original position , the justification of the two principles of justice, as well as the formation of the whole justice system ,all infiltrate the reflective equilibrium. Particularly the process of the two principles of justice from the initial proposal to complete the final statement, Display a more detailed the method of reflective equilibrium.In the forth part, we assess reflective equilibrium comprehensively on the basis of its systematic analysis . Reflective equilibrium, as one of a demonstration methods, the vast background theory and interactive verification process has let it much more reasonable and feasible. This method applied speculative ration on the thought of the moral issues, which not only provides a new conflict resolution perspectives on the unsolvable traditional value of conflict, but reverses the direction of development of ethics. As a theory reflective equilibrium, in some degree, there are also some problems. This dissertation comments it objectively.The main purpose of the dissertation lies in comprehensively and systematically demonstrating and rescrutinizing the reflective equilibrium, so as to lay its important position in Rawls' theory of justice.