I Need A Theory

[John Rawls]
You need - I need - a theory

[Chorus]
Of what?

[John Rawls]
A theory of... justice

I need a theory
A theory of justice
Something ambitious for everyone's sake
A big bold idea, a genuine earthquake

I'll think of a theory
A theory of justice
A blueprint for liberal democracy
Freedom at peace with equality

So I'll write a theory
A theory of justice
A rational work, undeniably true
To make the world better for me and for you

[Student]
Good luck with that

[Rawls]
Justice is...
Justice is...
It's the first virtue of social institutions
Just as truth is of systems of thought
And all the goods that follow from social corporations
Are then distributed as they ought

[Student]
What else?

[Rawls - spoken]
Uh, that's all I've got
[Chorus groans]
I'm working on it!

[Chorus]
All you've got is a vague idea!

[Rawls]
But it's a hell of a start!

[Chorus]
That's it?

[Student 1]
He needs substance, a clear direction

[Student 2]
Follow your heart!