John Rawls’ concept of the ‘veil of ignorance’ describes a situation in which resources are distributed unfairly because people are not aware of this inequality. For example, in an ideal utopian state, people would receive enough resources according to their needs.
Still, in the absence of control over the distribution, people tend to ignore the needs of others, and as a result, inequality arises. Therefore, the ‘veil of ignorance’ concept is a prerequisite for the emergence of such a state of affairs.
The application of this concept is possible in social situations where there is a distribution of public goods, such as monetary compensation, or more abstract things, such as rights and freedoms. ‘Veil of ignorance’ is also mentioned in connection with the possibility of changing current affairs through a more conscious attitude towards resources.
The application of this concept in state and international treaties allows for creating the basis for laws and guidelines for the economic management of communities at the federal, state, and local levels. At the same time, the ‘veil of ignorance’ can be used to align the corporate culture of companies if they do not comply with the principle of fairness.
- John Rawls’s Justice-as-Fairness and Political Liberalism Theory
- Fair Treatment of Both Genders and John Rawls’ Theory of Justice
- Egalitarian Liberalism by John Rawls
- Veil of Ignorance: Emergence, Definition, and Impact
- Veil of Ignorance in Social Contract Theory
- The Veil of Ignorance Concept: Principles and Applicability