Filozofska istraživanja, Vol. 36 No. 4, 2016.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.21464/fi36406
The Individual in Society Between Peace and War: On a Particular Point of Rawls’ Political Philosophy
Josip Berdica
orcid.org/0000-0003-4874-0326
; Sveučilište J. J. Strossmayera u Osijeku, Pravni fakultet, Stjepana Radića 13, HR–31000 Osijek
Abstract
From the Theory of Justice to the Law of Peoples liberalism of John Rawls develops from individualism to one specific form of the so¬called “Communitarian liberalism”. In the Theory Rawls discussed the individual and his duty to avoid war (civil disobedience), while in the Law of Peoples he discussed society and the duties of well¬organized Nations to launch war if human rights are endangered. The first perspective is individualistic and peaceful, while the other is more social and does not seem too pacifist. The first seems interpreted from the perspective of an ordinary citizen of liberal constitutional democracy, while the other is more like an interpretation from someone who holds the power. In that development of Rawls’ liberalism, what is intriguing is the potential conflict between individuals and society, which is particularly evident in his understanding of refusal to participate or justification to participate in war.
Keywords
liberalism; John Rawls; civil disobedience; war
Hrčak ID:
180135
URI
Publication date:
13.12.2016.
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