A Theory of Justice

The fundamental ideas of Rawls’s A Theory of Justice are concentrated in approximately one third of the book. On Rawls’s own suggestion, all that is needed to understand the ideas presented in this book are: Sections 1-4 and Section 8 in Chapter 1; Sections 11-17 in Chapter 2; all of chapter three; and Sections 33-35, 39, and 40 in Chapter 4.

After this, some additional reading may be desired to elaborate on fundamental concepts. If this is desired, or required, Rawls suggests reading Sections 66 and 67 in Chapter 7; Sections 77-79 in Chapter 8, and Sections 82, 85, and 86 in Chapter 9.

The remaining chapters: 1) explain philosophical ideas mentioned in the book but not included in the theory; 2) draw distinctions between Rawls’s Theory of Justice and other philosophical conceptions; 3) apply Rawls’s ideas to distinct situations; and, 4) flesh out Rawls’s theories in a level of detail appropriate for someone seeking a deep and thorough familiarity with the theory. Rawls states these chapters are unimportant to understanding the main philosophical argument of the book.

Rawls writes that “[j]ustice is the first virtue of social institutions” (3). A loss of freedom for some cannot be justified by the greater good of others.