You’re A Rational Being

[Immanuel Kant]
I'm your deontological fairy godmother!
In order to make you a truly great philosopher, I had to open your mind and make you use your power of reason alone!

[John Rawls]
I don't understand...

[Kant]
That's the point!
Don't lose hope or faith, your story's just beginning
There's a world out there just longing for your touch
Pick yourself up, stand up tall
Look me in the eye
You can change the world for good
Hold your head up high

'Cause you're a rational being, and that's what gives you value
You've got dignity and unconditional worth
You're irreplaceable, don't have a price
Have trust in yourself, hon, and take my advice

Set your sights on your dreams my dear
Follow your heart and have no fear
You are an end-in-yourself, it's clear
You've got ultimate value

So come on, give it one more shot
Don't let your hard work come to naught
You know what's right and that you want to write your Theory of Justice

I believe in you
I hope you do too
I know you'll go far
That's just who you are

[Rawls - spoken]
That really makes me feel better. But why me?

[Kant]
Because you have your own individual power of reason!
[Sung]
No one is simply a means to an end
We must all be allowed to live free and ascend

[Rawls]
My destiny is autonomy
My power and longing to be free
I'll follow the rules I've set for me
Out of pure reason

[Kant]
Be rational now
Can you see how?

[Rawls - spoken]
Yes! I just need to ignore everyone else and come up with my own answers!

[Kant]
No! It is not about your answer, it's about how you get there!
[Sung]
Over time and space you've asked great minds for answers
But their principles were plucked out of the stars
The truth isn't hiding out there in thin air
Put it together, it's hiding in there

Search your soul and you will find
Part of the truth in every mind
You have to go ask all mankind
You'll find the answer

Think rationally
Yes, that's the key

[Rawls - spoken]
That's phenomenal!

[Kant]
No, it's noumenal! You have all the pieces of the puzzle, you just need to put them together

[Rawls]
I think I've got it. We're all equal, so we must all agree on the rules together, which we can only do by ignoring our personal interests

[Kant]
In the ideal world, an everlasting kingdom
When we write the rules, we think of everyone
Rational, equal, and free, all agree what's right
Justice follow logically

[Kant + Rawls]
Put it in the light
All the laws are made for reasons universal
Justifiable to every single man

[Kant]
No ifs or buts, there is one thing I'm sure
It's imperative you obey moral law

And you'll write your theory
Your theory of justice, whoa
It will be dazzling, supremely profound
You'll write your theory where Fairness is bound

[Rawls]
I'll have my theory
My Theory of Justice
Fairness I'm coming, so don't you be scared
Give me a minute, I'm almost there