A Turn in John Rawls's Theory of Justice From Metaphysical Idealism to Political Realism

John Rawls’s “A Theory of Justice” is one of the most important books on political philosophy of justice written in the twentieth century that revolutionized the study of literature. The book caused fundamental changes not only in theory, but also in practice. Undoubtedly, this theory has left a great impact on the western systems of social justice and their tendency to distributive justice in the form of welfare state in the second half of the twentieth century. Rawls’s theory is considered as an attempt to improve the chaotic situation in the social welfare functions of western nations after World War II, although theoretically it is unique. Despite all the benefits provided, Rawls’s thought has been often seriously criticized for its deep epistemological and idealistic approach. Hence, Rawls accepts the deficiencies of its idealistic theory in the late twentieth century, and by publishing “The political Liberalism”, he modifies the theory in order to achieve political realism and tends to some entitlement justice. With a brief review of Rawls’s theory of justice, the paper attempts to present a realistic picture of such Rawls’s turn.