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Abstract

Modern ideas of justice stress the social qualities of equity and fairness; on the other hand, modern ideas of rational behavior stress individual, self-serving choices that are basically unconcerned with equity. In these forms, justice and rationality conflict in social situations as it appears they have done since Hobbes' analysis of human nature in the 17th century. Two more recent theories are reviewed here, both concerning this social dilemma: Santayana's Reason in Society, which finds solutions in social inequality (as meritocracy); and Rawls' Theory of Justice which finds solutions in social fairness and which tries to constrain social inequality. Rawls' theory is the more democratic, but at heart it is deliberately nonrational. It appears both theories are actually only partial solutions; Rawls in particular, includes unrealistic assumptions ruling out competition and envy in society. This analysis indicates that Santayana's approach has merit, pointing out that there are functional justifications for inequality. This analysis also advocates the priority of freedom over justice-as-equity, and further points out that under conditions we know as friendship, the original social dilemma may be avoided.

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Rationality and Social Justice

Abstract

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