Rawls's theory cannot adequately protect against the tyranny of the minority because his rigid adherence to the principle of never harming the least advantaged means he would reject even beneficial policies (like curing cancer) if they required doing minor harm to even one person, which most people find irrational.

causalpending

Speaker

Dr. Michael Sugrue

Evidence Quote

the danger with rawls is not tearing you the majority he's got that under control his danger i suspect is something close to tyranny of the minority... if you are willing to do some minor harm to the least among us i will show you the cure for cancer well okay the utilitarian caching he wants that immediately the kantian says i'm sorry but i can't do that

Source

A Theory of Justice: Bibliotheca WebinarMichael Sugrue
Created: 8/11/2026, 1:39:11 AM

My Notes

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