John Rawls

Mentioned in 11 analyzed podcast episodes across 9 shows

A 20th-century political philosopher best known for his theory of justice, particularly the "veil of ignorance" thought experiment used to evaluate the fairness of social systems. His work emphasizing distributive justice represents a major liberal approach to ethics, though he remains underrecognized in popular discourse despite substantial academic influence. Podcasts discuss his ideas when exploring contemporary debates about justice, fairness, and competing political philosophies.

Appears On

Boring History for Sleep Modern Wisdom In Pursuit of Development Philosophize This!The Daily Stoic The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas Capitalisn't In Our Time

Episode Appearances

Boring History for Sleep · Apr 12, 2026

The Complete History of Hell — 5,000 Years of Demons, Punishment, and the Afterlife 🔥 | Boring History for Sleep

“Applied justice theory to afterlife, arguing fundamental life prospects shouldn't depend on morally arbitrary factors”

Hell theology and doctrine across religionsOriginal sin and unbaptized infant damnationEternal versus temporary punishment debate

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Modern Wisdom · Mar 19, 2026

#1073 - Gurwinder Bhogal - 19 Uncomfortable Truths About Human Nature

“Developed veil of ignorance concept to counter original position fallacy in political theory”

Oxytocin Paradox and tribal empathyRumpelstiltskin Effect and diagnostic labelingMedicalization and disease concept creep

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Modern Wisdom · Mar 2, 2026

#1066 - Dr Kathryn Paige Harden - The Genetics of Evil: Are People Born Bad?

“Political philosopher whose 'veil of ignorance' thought experiment used to evaluate fairness of social systems”

Behavioral Genetics and Heritability of Antisocial BehaviorFree Will vs. Determinism in Criminal JusticeGenetic Essentialism and Retributive Justice

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In Pursuit of Development · Feb 25, 2026

Can philosophy save a world obsessed with power? – Thomas Pogge

“Influential political philosopher; discussed as example of philosopher with minimal public recognition in US despite major academic influence”

Global Justice and Moral Philosophy in International RelationsSoft Power vs Hard Power Competition Among Great PowersPhilosopher Marginalization in Public Policy and Discourse

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Philosophize This! · Feb 11, 2026

Episode #244 ... After Virtue - Alasdair MacIntyre (why moral conversations feel unsatisfying)

“20th-century philosopher whose theory of justice emphasizing distribution is contrasted with Nozick's entitlement-based approach”

Virtue Ethics and TeleologyEnlightenment Philosophy and Moral FoundationsEmotivism and Meta-Ethics

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The Daily Stoic · Feb 10, 2026

You Have to Fight for It | Is There A Dark Side To Stoicism?

“Philosopher; veil of ignorance concept used to test fairness of societal structures”

Stoic Philosophy and JusticeCivil Rights History and Legal StrategyAI and Critical Thinking

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The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg · Feb 9, 2026

Don Robby Corleone | Interview: Robert P. George

“Liberal philosopher whose theory of justice represents liberal secularism George plans to critique in Kellogg Lecture”

Natural Rights Philosophy and Constitutional LawTruth-Seeking and Epistemology in Political DiscourseClassical Liberalism vs. Modern Progressivism

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Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas · Feb 2, 2026

AMA | Feb 2026

“Political philosopher whose Theory of Justice is recommended for understanding modern ethics”

Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Results and Lambda-CDM Model TensionsComputational Functionalism vs. Process-Based Theories of ConsciousnessAI Consciousness and Moral Status of Artificial Intelligence

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Capitalisn't · Nov 6, 2025

Why Economists Should Care About Inequality, with Branko Milanovic

“Political philosopher who rejected trade-off between democratic rights and economic growth”

Global Inequality and Domestic Political StabilityPredistribution vs. Redistribution Policy FrameworksDemocracy-Capitalism Relationship and Trade-offs

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Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas · Sep 1, 2025

327 | Cass Sunstein on Liberalism

“Political philosopher whose theory of political liberalism and veil of ignorance framework discussed extensively”

Liberal Political Tradition and DefinitionRule of Law and Institutional SafeguardsIndividual Rights vs. Collective Values

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In Our Time · Jul 31, 2025

Civility: Talking With Those Who Disagree With You

“20th-century liberal philosopher who theorized 'duty of civility' as foundation for coexistence in diverse democracies”

History of Civility as Social VirtueCivility and Religious ToleranceReformation and Rejection of Civil Decorum

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