The concept of justice in modern liberalism: a study on F. A. Hayek and J. Rawls

This study is about the theories of justice of two influential thinkers in the modern liberal philosophy, Hayek and Rawls. Before the investigation of philosophers? theories, the relations between modern liberalism, justice and ethics are explored. Hayek?s and Rawls?s theories of justice are evaluated in the second and third chapters, respectively. Finally, a comparison of theories are presented in the forth chapter, including the critics of philosophers.Hayek?s and Rawls?s understanding of justice are certainly at distinct points. Hayek starts from a social practics oriented theory and then results in an idea of justice secondarily, while Rawls constitutes a theory of justice in an abstract way, which has certain priority. These different priorities allow a rich political perspective of just liberal order.