Which American philosopher is known for discussing distributive justice and the social contract theory?

John Rawls is renowned for his contributions to the theories of distributive justice and the social contract. In his influential book, "A Theory of Justice," Rawls introduces the concept of "justice as fairness," which emphasizes the importance of fair distribution of goods and opportunities in a society. His approach involves the hypothetical "original position" where individuals choose principles of justice behind a "veil of ignorance," unaware of their own social status or characteristics. This thought experiment highlights how fairness and equality should be foundational to the structure of a just society.

Rawls' theory outlines two key principles: the principle of equal basic rights and the difference principle, which allows social and economic inequalities only if they benefit the least advantaged members of society. This framework has had a significant impact on contemporary discussions of ethics, law, and social policy, particularly in the context of ideas around fairness and equality.

The philosophical perspectives of other figures mentioned may touch on justice or social contracts but do not emphasize distributive justice in the same way that Rawls does. For instance, Immanuel Kant's work focuses on deontological ethics and moral imperatives, while Robert Nozick is known for his libertarian views on justice and entitlement, and Jeremy Bentham is a prominent utilitarian