After Reading Chapter 5, Please Select One Of The Following ✓ Solved

After Reading All Ofchapter 5 Please Selectoneof The Followingprima

After reading all of Chapter 5, please select ONE of the following primary source readings:

“Utilitarianism” by John Stuart Mill (starting on page 111) — or — “A Theory of Justice” by John Rawls (starting on page 115) — or — “The Entitlement Theory of Justice” by Robert Nozick (starting on page 122).

Write a short, objective summary of words which summarizes the main ideas being put forward by the author in this selection.

Paper For Above Instructions

This assignment requires selecting one primary philosophical text from Chapter 5 for a concise summary. The primary sources offered include John Stuart Mill’s “Utilitarianism,” John Rawls’ “A Theory of Justice,” and Robert Nozick’s “The Entitlement Theory of Justice.” Each of these works presents a distinct approach to understanding morality and justice.

Mill’s “Utilitarianism” advocates for the ethical theory that actions are right if they promote happiness and wrong if they produce the opposite. Mill emphasizes the principle of utility, which seeks the greatest happiness for the greatest number, and explores how this principle guides moral decision-making. His work delves into the importance of individual rights and prevents tyranny of the majority, while emphasizing the significance of motives and intentions in moral evaluation.

Rawls’ “A Theory of Justice” introduces a framework for justice as fairness, proposing principles that would be established under a hypothetical social contract designed behind a “veil of ignorance.” Rawls argues for equal basic liberties for all and social and economic inequalities arranged to benefit the least advantaged—what he calls the difference principle. His theory emphasizes fairness and the equitable distribution of goods as central to justice.

Nozick’s “The Entitlement Theory of Justice” offers a libertarian perspective grounded in individual rights and entitlements. He critiques redistributive justice and emphasizes the importance of just acquisition, transfer, and rectification of holdings. Nozick argues that justice in holdings depends on the history of ownership and voluntary transfer, and he resists any principles that would violate individual property rights through redistribution.

All three works fundamentally explore different dimensions of moral and social justice theories: consequentialist ethics, egalitarian social contracts, and libertarian rights-based justice. A clear, objective summary of each reflects their unique perspectives and core principles, which have influenced contemporary debates on ethics and justice.

Paper For Above Instructions

In this assignment, I will provide an objective summary of the primary source selected from Chapter 5, focusing on the main ideas presented by the author. For this example, I will summarize John Rawls’ “A Theory of Justice,” which introduces a novel approach to understanding justice through principles that would be chosen under a hypothetical original position behind a veil of ignorance.

Rawls’ theory prioritizes two core principles. The first guarantees equal basic liberties such as freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and political rights for all individuals. The second addresses social and economic inequalities, asserting they are justifiable only if they benefit the least advantaged individuals—this is known as the difference principle. According to Rawls, rational individuals behind a veil of ignorance—without knowledge of their social status, abilities, or personal circumstances—would select principles that protect everyone’s basic rights and ensure fairness for the most vulnerable members of society.

Rawls’ approach is rooted in fairness and impartiality, emphasizing that social arrangements should be structured in ways that are justifiable to everyone. His theory contrasts with utilitarianism, which can potentially sacrifice the rights of minorities for the greater good, and with libertarian views, which emphasize individual property rights without concern for inequalities.

Overall, Rawls’ “A Theory of Justice” offers a foundational framework for contemplating social justice by proposing principles that ensure fairness, protect individual liberties, and address socio-economic disparities in a manner that rational agents behind a veil of ignorance would endorse.

References

References

• Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
• Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. Parker, Son, and Bourn.
• Nozick, R. (1974). Anarchy, State, and Utopia. Basic Books.
• Kymlicka, W. (2002). Contemporary political philosophy. Oxford University Press.
• Hare, R. M. (1981). Moral Thinking. Oxford University Press.
• Nagel, T. (1979). The Possibility of Altruism. Princeton University Press.
• Parfit, D. (2011). On What Matters. Oxford University Press.
• Singer, P. (2011). Practical Ethics. Cambridge University Press.
• Dworkin, R. (1977). Taking Rights Seriously. Harvard University Press.
• Sen, A. (2009). The Idea of Justice. Harvard University Press.