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John Rawls

1921–2002 · 20th-century (American)

The philosopher who revived political theory with justice as fairness.

Primary Source

Primary Source

Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought

Original (English)

“Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought.”

A Theory of Justice (1971), §1

Biography

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Major Works

Key Concepts

Influence & Modern Scholarship

Secondary Scholarship

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Connections

Thinkers in conversation with John Rawls:

Thinker

Hobbes

Thinker

Kant

Related Human Questions

Question

What is Justice?

Question

What Makes a Good Ruler?