In his work Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant defines reason as “[a rational being’s] power to act in accordance with his idea of laws” (Kant 530). By reasoning, individuals can choose meritorious courses of action. Kant argues that humans’ ability to reason gives human life value, making reason an immensely significant human faculty (Jankovic [“Kant”]).
In his “Second Treatise on Government,” John Locke also addresses reason, but he contends that reason arises from the state of nature rather than as an inherent human faculty. In the state of nature, reason helps individuals make righteous decisions in the absence of government: it “teaches all mankind […] that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another” (Locke sect. 6). Locke thus offers a different interpretation of reason’s source than Kant, but agrees with Kant that reason provides a foundation for moral decision-making.
John Rawls also discusses reason through his proposed thought experiment on the “original position” (Rawls 720). In this hypothetical state, individuals behind a “veil of ignorance” have no knowledge of their personal social position (720). They can therefore choose genuinely equitable “principles of justice” to guide their society because they rely on reason rather than personal bias to reach decisions (720). Rawls’ use of reason to shape his principles of justice demonstrates that he, like Locke and Kant, views reason as a means to move towards moral decision. Rawls also introduces the concept that all people reason the same way. “If anyone after due reflection prefers a conception of justice to another,” he extrapolates, “then they all do” (723). Therefore, principles derived by any given group of individuals behind the veil of ignorance represent a “unanimous choice” for all modern societies (723).1
- However, Rawls’ assertion that his theory applies to all modern democracies is disputed, particularly by modern philosopher Charles Mills. For an exploration of Mills’ critique of Rawls, please see my Moodle post “Towards Justice: Charles W. Mills’ Rawlsian Revisions.” ↩︎
