Rawlsian paths to justice: promise and limits in the quest towards justice in a diverse and complex world

This essay explores the philosophical ideas of John Rawls and two of his key contributions: the two principles of justice, and the notion of overlapping consensus as paths towards solutions to the issue of antagonism in modern society. The text begins by emphasizing the antagonistic nature of social groups and how this is constitutive of the human condition. In this regard, any assessment of the political realm must be viewed through this essential lens since the question of coexistence is key to wielding power within a domain of fairness, equality, and freedom. The text reviews key concepts examined by Rawls to appreciate his theoretical contribution and establish a dialogue with other philosophical traditions addressing the subject, including the critiques offered by skeptics of the public reason approach and the critique raised by non-ideal political theorists.