First: each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty

for others Second: Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that (Rawls, 1971, p.303; revised edition, p. 47): (a) they are to be of the greatest benefit to the least-advantaged members of society (the difference principle). (b) offices and positions must be open to everyone under conditions of fair equality of opportunity
Principles of Justice = principles assigning rights and duties for the basic structure of society and defining proper distribution of benefits and burdens of social cooperation. Basic Structure = the constitution and main economic and social arrangements. I. The First Principle: Equality of Citizenship Four basic liberties: A. B. C. D. Political liberty: the rights to vote and be eligible for office and the freedoms of speech and assembly. Liberty of conscience/thought. Liberty of property ownership. Liberty against arbitrary arrest/seizure.

The Proviso: my liberties extend only insofar as they do not infringe on anyone else's liberties. II. III. The Second Principle, Part 1: All offices and positions must be open to all. The Second Principle, Part 2 The Difference Principle: social/economic inequalities are to be arranged such that they are to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged.

A.

B. C.

Focus on Primary Goods = things every rational person wants, regardless of his/her plan of life. 1. Social p-goods, e.g., rights, liberties, opportunities, income, wealth, self-respect, etc. 2. Natural p-goods, e.g., health, intelligence, imagination, etc. Compare preferences only with respect to overall states of affairs. Focus on representative person.

Lexical Ordering: satisfy the first principle prior to the second, then satisfy the first part of the second prior to the second part.