Which of the following is a significant influence on John Rawls' perspective on justice?

John Rawls, a prominent 20th-century philosopher, is notably influenced by utilitarianism, which is foundational to the philosophical discussions surrounding justice and societal well-being. Utilitarianism posits that the best action or policy is one that maximizes overall happiness or utility. Rawls engages critically with this perspective, especially its implications for individual rights and distributive justice.

While Rawls does not adopt utilitarianism in its classic form, his work is largely a response to it. He critiques utilitarianism for its tendency to overlook the rights and dignities of individuals in favor of maximizing general utility. This critique leads Rawls to develop his own theories, such as the "veil of ignorance" and the "original position," which serve to ensure fairness and equality. His aim is to establish principles of justice that safeguard individual rights while also considering the greater good, thus being significantly shaped by utilitarian thought.

In contrast, aestheticism, existentialism, and Marxism do not directly inform Rawls' foundational ideas about justice to the same extent. Aestheticism deals more with artistic value than social justice, existentialism focuses on individual existence and freedom without a clear framework for justice, and while Marxism critiques capitalist structures and advocates for class struggle,