Rawls's Teaching and the “Tradition” of Political Philosophy

This article explores Rawls's evolving orientation to “the tradition of political philosophy” over the course his academic career, culminating in Justice as Fairness: A Restatement (2001). Drawing on archival material, it argues that fascination with arose out own pedagogical engagement debate around “death 1950s. Throughout, I highlight significance teaching—beginning earliest lectures social and philosophy at Cornell, shifting views tradition” published works, increasingly contextually minded irenic approach display Political Liberalism (1993) Fairness . neglected aspect “historical Rawls” offers insight into how Rawls himself might have read “John a figure history thought—and reveals he spent lot more time contemplating question than one think.