The original position is a thought experiment devised by philosopher John Rawls in his 1971 book A Theory of Justice to model the selection of fair principles of justice for society's basic institutions.[1] In this hypothetical scenario, rational agents deliberate under a "veil of ignorance" that prevents knowledge of their own socioeconomic status, natural abilities, or particular interests, aiming to ensure impartiality and prevent biases toward self-interest.[1] Rawls contends that participants in the original position, motivated by mutual advantage and assuming limited benevolence, would unanimously endorse two principles: first, equal basic liberties for all compatible with similar liberties for others; and second, social and economic inequalities arranged to benefit the least advantaged (the difference principle) and attached to positions open under fair equality of opportunity.[2]This device serves as the foundation for Rawls's "justice as fairness," contrasting with utilitarian approaches by prioritizing the worst-off position over aggregate welfare maximization.[1] The original position incorporates constraints reflecting moral powers of persons, such as rationality and a sense of justice, to derive principles that rational individuals would accept as fair regardless of their eventual societal role.[1] While influential in shaping egalitarian political theory, the concept has faced criticisms for presupposing risk-averse maximin strategies that may not align with empirical decision-making under uncertainty, potentially biasing outcomes toward redistribution over efficiency.