Why does Rawls claim that if "the principles of justice are chosen behind a veil of ignorance," it will "ensure that no one is advantaged or disadvantaged in the choice of principles"? How does this advance the cause of social justice?

John Rawls, a prominent political philosopher, proposed the concept of the "veil of ignorance" in his theory of justice. The idea is that if people were to design a society from scratch, but without any knowledge of their own personal circumstances (such as their race, gender, wealth, abilities, etc.), they would create a fair and just society. This is because they would not want to disadvantage any group too severely, in case they themselves ended up in that group.

1. Rawls' claim: Rawls argues that if the principles of justice are chosen behind a veil of ignorance, it will ensure that no one is advantaged or disadvantaged in the choice of principles. This is because, under the veil of ignorance, individuals do not know their place in society, their class position or social status, nor do they know their fortune in the distribution of natural assets and abilities, their intelligence, strength, and so on. Therefore, they would choose principles of justice that would be fair to all, as they could potentially be anyone in society.

2. Advancing social justice: This concept advances the cause of social justice by promoting fairness and equality. If individuals do not know where they will end up in society, they are more likely to choose principles that are fair and equal, to ensure they are not disadvantaged. This would lead to a society where everyone is treated fairly and has equal opportunities, which is the essence of social justice.

In conclusion, Rawls' concept of the veil of ignorance is a thought experiment that encourages us to think about justice and fairness from an unbiased perspective. It promotes the idea that in designing a just society, we should consider the rights and needs of all individuals, not just those who are currently in positions of power or privilege.