ABSTRACT

The philosopher John Rawls, in his book A Theory of Justice, developed a thought experiment that remains relevant to architects. He asked that we imagine making decisions as if behind a “veil of ignorance,” without knowing their effect on us. In reality, though, we all live behind a “veil of ignorance” about what the future will bring. That has led to the ethical precept that we should act as if we were the most disadvantaged person in the room and make our decisions accordingly – an idea that should guide architects who often find themselves torn between serving the needs of the wealthy or powerful and having a professional responsibility to look after the needs of the least advantaged: a building’s inhabitants, visitors and passersby, and even other species.