Rawls's suggestion that policy should be directed at maximizing the welfare of the least well off person in society is derived from ?

Correct answer: B. the idea that people should consider policy as if behind a veil of ignorance as to what their circumstances might be in society, and the idea that people will then be particularly concerned about the possibility that they might find themselves at the bottom of the income distribution

  • A. the idea that people should consider policy as if behind a veil of ignorance as to what their circumstances might be in society, and the idea that as long as there is no theft then there is no need for governments to intervene and redistribute income.
  • B. the idea that people should consider policy as if behind a veil of ignorance as to what their circumstances might be in society, and the idea that people will then be particularly concerned about the possibility that they might find themselves at the bottom of the income distribution
  • C. the idea that people a veil of ignorance as policy as if behind a veil of ignorance as to what their circumstances might be in society, and the ignorant people should be looked after
  • D. the idea that everyone in society should have an equal income

Explanation

Rawls’s veil of ignorance asks people to choose rules without knowing their future social position, making them especially concerned about the possibility of being worst off. This supports maximizing the welfare of the least advantaged rather than simply equalizing everyone’s income.

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