The Method of A Theory of Justice

An initial way into the complexity of John Rawls's writing on method might be note that at the time of writing A Theory of Justice he was both deeply admiring and deeply critical of the Utilitarian tradition of ethical thought. The constructive method of ethical reasoning that is support an account of 'justice as fairness' is one, Rawls claims, that carries to a higher level of abstraction the familiar theory of the social contract as found, say, in Locke, Rousseau and Kant. Rawls claims initially that his fundamental method is simply too abstract, and that he generalizes and carries a higher level the traditional conception of the social contract. Rawls's notion of the 'original position' is evidently no mere abstraction, although it is abstract in many respects. The appeal reflective equilibrium entirely alters the character of Rawls's justificatory strategy. Keywords: A Theory of Justice; John Rawls; justificatory strategy; Utilitarian tradition