Reinterpretation Of John Rawls's Difference Principle

The theme of this dissertation is John Rawls's Difference Principle,which is not only best-know but also the most controversial topics in his two principles of justice.It defends that social and economic inequalities should be arranged in such a way that they are justified for the greatest benefits of the least advantaged in the context of the principle of storage of justice.As one part of the justice principles,the Difference Principle aims to change the inequality situation caused by social contingencies,such as talent,luck,birth,and opportunity.It also contains a bottom-line priority,which implies we cannot realize it at the expense of the equal provision of basic liberties,fair equality of opportunity or the just saving principle.Compared with the relevant historical factors,the reason why to choose that principle is that its social effects will make everyone's life better,at least for the least disadvantaged,at the same time,do not reduce the living standards of other members of society.The Difference Principle tends to be in favor of the least disadvantaged basic social welfare,as soon as it is proposed,various political philosophical schools,especially liberalism,utilitarianism,communitarianism,and egalitarianism heatedly criticize it.This paper discussed the following four issues:(1)the source of the Difference Principle,the theoretical content,the theoretical conception,and the realistic background of it;(2)the criticism by other scholars and the response by Rawls himself;(3)reinterpretation of the Difference Principle in order to understand this theory as comprehensively as possible;(4)Explore some theoretical references provided by the Difference Principle to alleviate the main contradictions in Chinese society.Provide inspiration for solving the existing problems of Chinese social and economic inequality and to push the reform of social distribution further.