John Rawls's "A Theory of Justice" at Fifty: An Anniversary Conference

FAIN: RZ-271100-20

University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, IN 46556-4635)
Paul J. Weithman (Project Director: November 2019 to present)

Planning and holding a conference on the 50th anniversary of the publication of A Theory of Justice by American philosopher John Rawls (1921–2002). (12 months)

John Rawls was one of the greatest philosophers of the last century. 2021 will bring the 50th anniversary of the publication of his book A Theory of Justice. In September of that year, the University of Notre Dame will host an international conference to mark the anniversary. The University seeks a Convening Grant to support the conference. The interpretation of Rawls's work, the usefulness of his philosophical method and the validity of his conclusions have all been hotly contested in recent years. The Notre Dame conference will bring together approximately thirty of the best political philosophers in the world who engage Rawls's work, some critically and some sympathetically. The conference promises to advance scholarly understanding of his thought and its relevance to contemporary politics. It also promises to advance knowledge of what the NEH calls "America's core principles of government" and thereby to further the purposes of the NEH's initiative "A More Perfect Union".