veil-of-ignorance
/ˌveɪl əv ˈɪɡ.nə.rəns/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A way of thinking about fairness in which people decide rules without knowing their own position, status, or advantages. It is used in philosophy and politics.
- The teacher explained the veil of ignorance in class.
- Under the veil of ignorance, nobody knows their future role.
- The rule seems fair behind a veil of ignorance.
Adinary Nuance
Use veil of ignorance in philosophy, ethics, and political writing. It is more specific than impartiality or objectivity because it imagines people choosing rules while hidden from their own future place. Writers choose it when they want a clear picture of fairness, not just a general idea of being neutral.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- bức màn vô minh
- Spanish
- velo de ignorancia
- Chinese
- 无知之幕
- Japanese
- 無知のヴェール
- Korean
- 무지의 베일
Etymology
The phrase comes from modern political philosophy, especially John Rawls in the 20th century. It uses the image of a veil, or cover, that hides personal information.
Common phrases
behind a veil of ignorancethe veil of ignorance argumentunder the veil of ignorance
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is veil of ignorance a common everyday phrase?
- No. It is mostly used in philosophy, political theory, and academic writing.
- What does veil of ignorance mean in simple words?
- It means making a choice without knowing who you will be affected as.
- Is it the same as being fair?
- Not exactly. It is one method for thinking about fairness.
- Can I use it in IELTS writing?
- Yes, if your essay is about justice, society, or ethics.