Book Review John Rawls His Theory of Justice Thomas Pogge

Translated by Michelle Kosch Oxford University Press, New York

Authors

  • John Barnes

Abstract

For those students of Ethics who are aware of John Rawls dedication to continuously improve his Theory of Justice throughout his lifetime the book under review here will be of particular interest.

Thomas Pogge was both a student in Rawls classes and his Harvard Doctoral supervisee and later a biographer of Rawls as well as a faculty member at Harvard.

Thomas Pogge and Michelle Kosch, the translator, have accomplished a magnificent tribute to Rawls and to his lifelong work. They have done so through collaborating with Rawls and with Rawls wife Margaret (nee Fox) to complete this comprehensive biography and detailed analysis and explanation of Rawl’s seminal work. This reviewer can only describe their work as  comprehensively detailed and a beautiful and comprehensive work of devotion.

Academic readers, whether faculty or students will learn so much more than clearly understanding Rawls Theory of Justice. They will learn the real meaning of dedication to one’s task and to deep academic rigor, both of which are provided through numerous vivid accounts.

Yet another advantage for readers is to repeatedly see how John Rawls cordially invited criticism of his work by philosophers who took a very different approach to the ethic of Theory of Justice.  Rawls took critics comments seriously and addressed them honestly and comprehensively in subsequent revisions of his life’s work. Pogge and Kosch have followed Rawls lead here and gone to great pains in their detailed and yet clear explanation of each and every component of Rawls work. Their work is without doubt a labour of love.

Pogge and Kosch have inserted in-text references to Rawls original work and to its subsequent revisions, making it easy for the reader to refer to and access Rawls progressive revisions to his work.

Rawls was known to be a humble and kindly fellow, a father to four children and devoted husband, who spent much of his academic life fine-tuning a Theory of Justice that we might each reflect and attempt to practice this modern-day ethical formulation.

I am greatly indebted to my friends and colleagues Dr. Michael Clark who introduced me to the works of Thomas Pogge and to Dr Aaron Loh, for providing me a copy of the book to read, enjoy and review.                                          

 

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Published

2021-06-17

How to Cite

Barnes, J. . (2021). Book Review John Rawls His Theory of Justice Thomas Pogge : Translated by Michelle Kosch Oxford University Press, New York. ABAC ODI JOURNAL Vision. Action. Outcome, 8(2), 116. Retrieved from http://www.assumptionjournal.au.edu/index.php/odijournal/article/view/5364