For this week we are studying the conceptions of justice that shape the modern Western world. Student tasks for the week are to:

1. Prepare for the session by reading the following assigned texts:

Required: John Rawls, A Theory of Justice, sections 1-4, 10-13, 20-24 (note that the 'sections' are the numbered subheadings within each chapter, so, e.g., sections 1-4 fall within chapter 1, sections 10-13 fall within chapter 2, and sections 20-24 fall within chapter 3).

The text may be found at this link. Note that you will may need to sign up for a free account in order to be able to borrow the text electronically.

https://archive.org/details/a-theory-of-justice-john-rawls-1971/page/395/mode/2up

Optional: students may well find it worthwhile to supplement their reading of Rawls with a look at two other short texts:

(i) Chapters 1, 8, and 9 of Locke's Second Treatise of Government, which can be found through the following link. The text usefully illustrates the founding assumptions of modern liberal theory. Rawls understands himself to be arguing for the same principles as Locke:

https://archive.org/details/secondtreatiseof0000lock_s9g6/page/n5/mode/2up

(ii) Susan Moller Okin's short essay responding to Rawls from a feminist perspective. It raises important questions for considering modern liberal theory generally, and Rawls' work particularly: Moller Okin—For Whom-.pdf

2. Attend the lecture on Wednesday 24 April from 18.15-20.00.

3. Complete a discussion assignment by going to the discussion forum found here: Modern liberalism--discussion.

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