How Do We Do Philosophy In Politically Difficult Times

In 'Who Is Man?', Abraham Joshua Heschel explores the fundamental question of what it means to be human. Through three lectures originally delivered at Stanford University in 1963, Heschel examines the logic of being human, the grounds for justifying humanity, and the existential mystery of man as a person. He discusses man's unique position between God and beasts, emphasizing human freedom, responsibility, and the ongoing drama of creation and redemption. The book challenges readers to reconsider the authentic human identity beyond mere biological existence.

In 'A Theory of Justice,' John Rawls develops a moral theory of justice as fairness, which is an alternative to utilitarianism. The theory is based on the social contract approach and uses the concept of the original position and the veil of ignorance to derive two principles of justice. The first principle, the greatest equal liberty principle, ensures that each person has an equal right to the most extensive total system of equal basic liberties compatible with a similar system of liberty for all. The second principle, which includes the difference principle and the equal opportunity principle, states that social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged and attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity. Rawls's theory aims to reconcile liberty and equality in a well-ordered society.