Weblinks
See the Companion Website for further resources.Note
1 Rawls claims to eschew any view on risk, arguing that agents in the original position face
uncertaintyrather than risk(Rawls, 2001: 106). This seems at first sight a meaningless
distinction, for uncertainty is at the heart of gambling. But developing the distinction
Rawls maintains that gamblers have some knowledge of probabilities, knowledge denied
to agents in the original position. This, however, would amount to denying agents general
knowledge of society. Whilst Rawls seeks to avoid attributing a ‘special psychology’ to
agents – that is, a controversial set of motivations – his argument does seem to amount
to the claim that as ‘trustees’ (or representatives) agents would not risk the fundamental
interests of those they represent. Agents are indeed risk-averse.98 Part 1 Classical ideas