Self-Respect and the Justification of Rawlsian Principles of Justice

In this article I examine the importance of self-respect in the justification of Rawls's theory of justice. First, I present two elements that are part of the contemporary debate on self-respect as a form of self-worth-namely, moral status and merit. Second, I specify the bases that support sel...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ethics and social welfare 2021-07, Vol.15 (3), p.232-245
Main Author: Aguayo Westwood, Pablo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Equality
Principles
principles of justice
Rawls
Rawls, John (1921-2002)
Self esteem
Self-respect
Social justice
Social stability
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Summary:In this article I examine the importance of self-respect in the justification of Rawls's theory of justice. First, I present two elements that are part of the contemporary debate on self-respect as a form of self-worth-namely, moral status and merit. Second, I specify the bases that support self-respect within A Theory of Justice. Finally, I discuss at length the function of self-respect in justifying the principles of justice. This inquiry implies an analysis of the relationship between self-respect and the component parts of the two principles of justice: basic liberties, fair equality of opportunity, and the difference principle. I also explore the connection between self-respect and the sense of justice in light of the stability argument, and how the relationship between the two is important for achieving social stability.
ISSN:1749-6535
1749-6543
DOI:10.1080/17496535.2021.1915355