---
title: "Rawls's Veil of Ignorance: Justice Theory | Model Diplomat"
description: "Rawls's Veil of Ignorance is a thought experiment for selecting fair justice principles, crucial for understanding justice in political philosophy and ethics."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/rawls-veil-of-ignorance"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The veil of ignorance is John Rawls's thought experiment in which rational agents choose principles of justice without knowing their own social position, talents, or conception of the good.
- What is the difference between the veil of ignorance and the original position?
- Why would parties behind the veil reject utilitarianism?
- What principles does the veil of ignorance generate?
- What are the main criticisms of the veil of ignorance?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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In its 2017 General Studies Paper IV ethics case studies, India's Union Public Service Commission asked civil-service aspirants to apply Rawls's veil of ignorance to questions of welfare allocation and administrative impartiality.

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