Question

Explain the veil of ignorance. What work does the veil do for contractarianism? What do you think contractors would agree to from behind the veil? Do you think that this is a good approach to contractarianism? Why or why not?

Answer 1

The concept veil of ignorance was put forward by John Rawls, who argued that behind the veil of ignorance we want to have a much better and fairer society than what we have right now. There is also a specialty about the veil of ignorance that you will never know what you will end up to be in the society designed by you behind the veil of ignorance, you can be rich, poor anything. It is always better to not know, how you will end up in society and it is also better for the creation of a just system.

Contractarianism says that people can have a contract a adopt the best strategy for maximization of profit because and when both the parties in the contract(here society) will act morally because actions are rational.

Veil of ignorance will simply thrust up the benefits of contractarianism. I mean, think for yourself, a society who wants maximum benefits will not know how they will end up after a new society is designed behind the veil of ignorance. For instance, if you and your friend together has to make a decision and you both don't know what will be the result, it can be favorable for both of you or can be opposite, you both will cooperate equally, where if you both know beforehand that the result be in favor of one and not in favor the other, the person who will not be benefited will never cooperate and thus this will be an issue for fights. And that is the reason I feel that this is a good approach to contractarianism.