Rainer Forst a John Rawls’ reader

Abstract

The article aims to discuss the role that John Rawls' work has for Rainer Forst's theoretical project. It is about following the main readings that Forst performs about this author and discussing some consequences that can be inferred from them for his critical model. Thus, firstly, is discussed Forst's attempt to bring the criteria of reciprocity and universality, from his principle of justification, closer to Rawls', while accusing Rawls that his configuration of the original position attributes substantive contents to the principles of justice, which, in fact, could only be conceived as a fundamental principle of justification (I). Next, Forst's reading of the debate between Habermas and Rawls is observed, in order to extract an alternative to both. Again Forst makes a move to approach and criticize Rawls (II). In a third moment, another attempt to approach and overcome the work of Rawls is examined, but this time through the distinction between two images of justice (III). Finally, the article presents two general interpretations of these readings: that there are certain constants in the arguments that unite and that intend to overcome Rawls; and thatcontains possible problems with consequences that cause certain obstacles to his theory in its claim to becritical.