How does Rawls use the idea of a veil of ignorance to argue that fair and just distribution can be defended on rational grounds.

The defence:

(i)John Rawals argues that the only way we can arrive at a fair and just rule is if we imagine ourselves to be a situation in which we have to make decisions about how society should be organised although we do not know which position we would ourselves occupy in that society. That is we do not know what type of family we would be born in, whether we would be born into an upper caste or lower caste family, rich or poor, priviledged or disadvantaged.

(ii)Rawals argue that if we don’t know in this sense, who we will be and what options would be available to us in the future society, we will lately to support a decision about the rules and organisation of that future society which would be fair for all members.

(iii)Rawals describes that as thinking under a veil of ignorance. He expects that in such a situation of complete ignorance about our possible position and status in society each person would decide on the way the generally do, that is in terms of their own interests.

(iv)But since no one knows who would be and what is going to benefit him each will envisage the future society from the point of view of the worst off, it will be clear to a person who can reason and think for himself that those who are born priviledged will enjoy certain special opportunities.

(v)On the other hand if some people have the misfortune of being born in a disadvantaged section of society where few opportunities would be available to them? Hence, it would make sense for each person acting in his or her own interest, to try to think of rulers of organisation that will ensure reasonable opportunities to the weaker sections. The attempt will be to see that important resources, like education, health, shelter, etc. are available to all persons even if there are not part of the upper caste.

(vi)It is of course not easy to erase our identities and to imagine oneself about veil of ignorance. But then it is equally difficult for most people to be self-sacrificing and share their good fortune with strangers. That is why we habitually associate self-sacrifice with heroism. Given these human failings and limitations it is better for us to think of a framework that does not need extraordinary actions.