Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss A Theory of Justice by John Rawls (1921 - 2002) which has been called the most influential book in twentieth century political philosophy. It was first published in 1971. Rawls (pictured above) drew on his own experience in WW2 and saw the chance in its aftermath to build a new society, one founded on personal liberty and fair equality of opportunity. While in that just society there could be inequalities, Rawls’ radical idea was that those inequalities must be to the greatest advantage not to the richest but to the worst off. With Fabienne Peter Professor of Philosophy at the University of Warwick Martin O’Neill Professor of Political Philosophy at the University of York And Jonathan Wolff The Alfred Landecker Professor of Values and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford and Fellow of Wolfson College Producer: Simon Tillotson
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Hello.
A theory of justice by John Rawls has been called the most influential book in 20th century political philosophy.
Rawls, 1921 to 2002, drew on his own experience in World War Two and saw the chance in its aftermath to build a new society founded on personal liberty and fair equality of opportunity.
And while in that just society there could be inequalities, Rawls radical idea was that those inequalities must be of the greatest advantage, not to the richest, but to the worst.
Off with me to discuss Rawls theory of justice are Fabian Peter, professor of philosophy at the University of Warwick, Martin O'Neill, professor of political philosophy at the University of York, and Jonathan Wolf, the Alfred Landecker professor of values and public policy at the Blutnik School of Government, University of Oxford, and fellow Wolfstone College.
Let's start with you, Martin.
Can you give us some brief notes about his background, his youth?
Sure.