John Rawls의 平等論 考察 = A Study on John Rawl's Theory of Equality

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The paper examines the theory of equality from the Rawlsian perspective. First, it explores the theoretical backgrounds of the subject through examining the history of political philosophy, e.g., the differences between Plato and Aristotle in philosophical interpretation of equality.
The concept of equality has evolved throughout history. Until the Middle Ages, the notion of equality was interpreted in terms of reason, natural laws and God. In modern era, legal and political perception on the concept was more prevalent. In contemporary era, social and economic interpretation of the notion is prevailing.
After the background considerations, the paper focuses on the principles of equality, especially the guarantee of legal and political equality. Thus, the relationship between the theory of equality and that of justice is discussed with a heavy emphasis. It also discusses about the requirements and characteristics of equality.
Here the paper presents the Rawlsian view of justice. It argues that his notion of justice is different from that of utilitarian theorists. Rawls does not approve of the unhappiness of the least advantaged for the sake of the increasing happiness of the more privileged.
Later the principle of difference and the guarantee of social and economic equality are examined. In its nature, the Rawlsinan notion of equality is justice as a requirement of liberty. His concept of "veil of ignorance" can be understood in the similar fashion.
Some criticism on the principle of difference is also presented in later part of
this study. At the same time, however, the paper also tries to defend the principle by saying that the principle is also for "the least advantaged."
In conclusion, this study discusses that Rawls ratiocinated the political and moral duties from this notion of rational self-interest. That is, this theory takes after some radical egalitarians in the sense that his notion of equality is "normative baseline." Since he repudiates the absolute equality, however, Rawls deviates from them.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Ⅰ. 序 論
• Ⅱ. 平等論의 展開課程
• 1. 機能에 의한 平等
• 2. 自然法에 의한 平等
• Ⅲ. 平等의 原則-法的·政治的 平等의 保障
• 1. 正義觀과 平等의 原則
• 2. 平等의 要件
• 3. 平等의 性格
• Ⅳ. 差等의 原則-社會的·經濟的 平等의 保障
• 1. 差等의 原則
• 2. 不平等이 容認되는 範圍
• 3. 差等의 原則에 대한 批判과 正當化
• Ⅴ. 結 論