ABSTRACT
Kittay’s philosophically powerful insights about human dependency raised significant issues that Rawls did not consider in the development of his theory. This chapter shows that a contemporary Rawlsian theory of justice can incorporate the fact of human dependency. Consequently, the need for care should be added to the basic facts known to parties in the original position. I also argue for the receipt of care as a Rawlsian primary good. Furthermore, I establish that the Rawlsian account of self-authentication has value as a normative basis for liberal dependency care as a theory of justice that includes the facts of human dependency. The chapter also defends the methodological value of differentiating between descriptions of the real world and the model conceptions that we use to arrive at principles of justice.
