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John Rawls

SOURCE: Science News
5/16/2023

Former East Germans Largely Eschewed Opportunity to Read their Stasi Files—What that Says about Ethics

Few of the former residents of East Germany have chosen to view the files kept on them by the communist secret police; scholars have investigated this as an example of strategic ignorance that can help individuals function and preserve social harmony.

SOURCE: Boston Review
5/10/2023

Forum: Is "Equal Opportunity" the Wrong Goal?

by Christine Sypnowich

A political philosopher introduces a forum on inequality and justice by arguing that the focus on opportunity at the expense of equalizing outcomes will inevitably allow significant inequality to continue.

SOURCE: The Nation
11/27/2021

Selective Conscience: New Book Dissects Rawls's Theory of Fairness

by Olúfémi O. Táíwò

Katrina Forrester's book shows the influence of John Rawls on the study of ethics, but also reveals the limits of abstract theory for understanding historical injustice.

SOURCE: The Nation
2/23/2021

The Broken System: What Comes After Meritocracy?

by Elizabeth Anderson

Philosopher Elizabeth Anderson reviews Michael Sandel's critique of meritocracy, a book that locates an explanation for the Trumpian moment in the rise of competitive individualism in the platforms of both major parties.