John Rawls’s A Theory of Justice has reoriented western philosophic thought, starting a new period of reflection on justice. Designed so as to offer “one” theory, this work does not present a dogmatic purpose; however, it does propose principles of justice, resulting from a hypothetical original agreement, to constitute what it calls “justice as fairness”, characterized by the foundation of the rules of “fair” in the institutions. Through the “veil of ignorance” imposed to men in their “original position”, Rawls makes (...) the design of such principles the result of a rational common sense among individuals, trying to achieve a moral ideal that works as an alternative for the utilitarian doctrine and as the basis for a fair democratic society. The importance of Rawls’s complete work can be assessed by the great attention and comments it has received in the academic world, becoming responsible for the rebirth of discussions related to fundamental issues concerning ethics and political philosophy. This has not prevented criticism to the author’s thinking from arising. The paper aims demonstrate that the vehement disagreement used by Rawls’s critics when attacking the argument of original sense decreases the importance of his theory. (shrink)

A obra O direito dos povos fecha a trilogia de reflexões de Rawls sobre a justiça, sustentando que povos razoáveis podem conviver de maneira pacífica em um mundo justo. Seu objetivo fundamental é estudar as possibilidades de estender o conceito de justiça como eqüidade para o âmbito externo denominado de Sociedade dos Povos. Elabora ideais e princípios para a política exterior de povos razoavelmente justos,instaurando um programa de direito internacional público. O presente artigo visa apresentar a importância de sua teoria (...) para uma sociedade internacional caracterizada pela pluralidade de doutrinas abrangentes e tentar responder as objeções tendo como base os próprios escritos de Rawls. (shrink)

RESUMO: O presente artigo visa, em um primeiro momento, a analisar a concepção de direitos humanos feita por Rawls, para verificar se a concepção minimalista e não-metafísica apresentada pelo autor é apta a oferecer, nos dias atuais, um ideal moral que sirva de base para uma sociedade internacional democrática e justa. ABSTRACT. This article aims, at first, to analyze the conception of human rights by John Rawls, to verify that the minimalist and non-metaphysical conception presented by the author is able (...) to offer, in present days, a moral ideal to serve as a basis for a democratic and fair international Society. (shrink)