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Shout For "Least Advantaged"

Posted on:2009-09-02Degree:MasterType:Thesis
Country:ChinaCandidate:H J WangFull Text:PDF
GTID:2166360245959780Subject:Marxist philosophy
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
Equality as an important political value, both it is a fundamental right of the people and it is an eternal topic of concern philosophy. Equality is the focus of contemporary political philosophy. Rawls?ˉequality concept focused on ?°least advantaged?±. Improving their situation is the main purpose of Rawls?ˉequality concept. Before Rawls, there was two kinds of equality concepts in the Western political philosophy, one was ?°rights equality?±, the other was ?°opportunity equality?±,but its exist some shortcomings. In order to make a more perfect equality, Rawls raised his concept of equality: ?°democratic equality?±, that is, difference principle, to use it to improve the ?°least advantaged?±situation. Rawls think a justice system should improve the ?°least advantaged?±situation by many social arrangements,increase their hope and narrow distribution gap with other people. In this thesis, improving the "least advantaged" situation is considered as an emphasis, probing into Rawls?ˉequality concept in his ?°Theory of Justice,?±analyzing Rawls is how to improve the "least advantaged" situation. Through research, it can provide good support for the theory which Construct a harmonious society in China and it is more important practical significance.The paper is divided into four chapters.The first Chapter discusses the formation of Rawls?ˉequality concept .first of all, it describes the formation of Rawls?ˉequality concept through the presentation of Rawls?ˉlife, then by introducing the social background and origin of the equal idea ,and make the formation of equality concept of Rawls further in-depth analysis. Rawls?ˉtime is the 1950s, during this period it appears the economic crisis in the United States, such as inflation, increasing unemployment, At that time, poverty has also become compelling social issue, the whole American society is in a crisis. Therefore, to focus on poor people becomes a very important content in Rawls?ˉequality concept. Rawls?ˉequality concept and his justice thinking are inseparable. Justice thinking has a long history and it can be found its provenance from culture of ancient Greek philosophy. In addition, the formation of Rawls equality concept is established a criticism of dominant utilitarianism theory in the Western political philosophy thinking.The second chapter stressed that the main purpose of Rawls?ˉequality concept is to improve the "most vulnerable" situation, including define the "least advantaged " and the reasons of formation "least advantaged ", and essential connotation of improving "least advantaged " ,and the reason why the main purpose of Rawls?ˉequality concept is to improve ?°least advantaged?±. Rawls thought we should who is ?°least advantaged?±based on holding the share of basic good, and it is divided into five kinds. Rawls also considered entirely the reason of ?°least advantaged?±formation .He thought the factors lead to inequality become incidental, but it is not relevant with moral. The factors of affecting people's life prospects are the three major things: their origin, including the social class (social Chance), their natural talent and development opportunities(natural incidental).Connotation of improving least advantaged situation is more rich, mainly includes three aspects: First, fairness justice is core idea of Rawls?ˉimproving "least advantaged" situation. Second, a justice social system is basic requirements which to improve the "least advantaged" situation. Third, the principle of justice is the key which improve the "least advantaged" situation.The third chapter is the core content of my thesis, It mainly discussed two ways which Rawls improve "least advantaged" situation, one is to use difference principle to improve the "least advantaged" situation, the other is to use a distributive justice to improve the "least advantaged" situation. About difference principle, Rawls presented it like this: social and economic inequality should be arranged like this: make them benefit the least advantaged members' best interest. Rawls?ˉdistributive justice, in the final analysis is a "redistribution" justice. The object of "redistribution" is public resources, and the essence of "redistribution" is that the government distribute a part of public resources to ?°least advantaged?±through various means. Thus, to obtain a purpose which protect the "least advantaged". Distributive justice as a relationship category, occurred in a relationship which between people and people, people and society interests, and it is a product of various social interest differentiation. It was studied based on what make wealth and income redistribute and adjust to ensure political, economic equality among citizens Thus, make distribution benefit to the "least advantaged" and improve their situation.The last chapter evaluate mainly Rawls?ˉconcept of equality and point out its theoretical contributions and a number of shortcomings, as well as other scholars present criticism on his equality concept .and analyze shortcomings on his equality concept under the Marxist concept of equality .Theoretical contributions are mainly following points: First, Rawls?ˉequality concept break through the utilitarianism obstacle. Second, it changed topic which western political philosophy and development process of development process; Third, make equality achieve the reunification from the form and substance .Disadvantage of equality concept are main following points: First, Rawls?ˉequality concept couldn?ˉt not completely reveal the root causes of inequality; Second, only discuss distributive justice and set production aside. Third, Rawls?ˉequality concept is idealism.Last , discuss mainly contemporary value of Rawls?ˉequality concept, that is, this concept of equality give us some useful revelations how to improve "vulnerable groups" situation, protect their interests in the current society. In a word, Rawls?ˉequality concept has very important theoretical and practical significance for our building a harmonious society.
Keywords/Search Tags:Rawls, equality, least advantaged, difference principle, distributive justice
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