A Theory of Justice, Revised Edition

"A Theory of Justice, Revised Edition" by John Rawls is a foundational work of political philosophy that addresses the principles of justice. Rawls argues that every person has an inalienable right to justice that cannot be subordinated to the welfare of society. In this book, he develops a theory based on the idea that rational and free individuals, in a hypothetical original position where they do not know their social status, would determine the principles of justice. These considerations lead to a profound analysis of rights and duties in a just society. The first part of the book addresses objections to the theory as well as alternative approaches, particularly utilitarianism. As the discussion progresses, the theory is applied to the philosophical foundations of constitutional freedoms and the challenges of distributive justice. Rawls also discusses topics such as civil disobedience and conflicts of conscience, thereby establishing the connection between justice and the good life.