Rawls

John Rawls (1921-2002) was the most influential political philosopher of the twentieth century. His writing on the nature of justice transformed philosophical and political thought on the subject and his vision of a "well-ordered society", in which all reasonable persons accept a conception of justice as fairness, remains highly influential.

In this superb introduction, Samuel Freeman introduces and assesses the main topics of Rawls's philosophy. Starting with a brief biography and charting the influences on Rawls's early thinking, he goes on to discuss the heart of Rawls's philosophy: his principles of justice and their practical application to society. Subsequent chapters discuss Rawls's theories of liberty, political and economic justice, democratic institutions, goodness as rationality, moral psychology, political liberalism, and international justice. A concluding chapter considers Rawls's legacy.

Clearly setting out the ideas in Rawls's masterwork, A Theory of Justice, Samuel Freeman also considers Rawls's other key works, including Political Liberalism and The Law of Peoples. An invaluable introduction to this deeply influential philosopher, Rawls is essential reading for anyone coming to his work for the first time.

About the Author:
Samuel Freeman is Professor of Philosophy and Law at the University of Pennsylvania