Bill Clinton: “John Rawls is perhaps the greatest political philosopher of the 20th century. In 1971, when Hillary and I were in law…”

“John Rawls is perhaps the greatest political philosopher of the 20th century. In 1971, when Hillary and I were in law school, we were among the millions moved by a remarkable book he wrote, ``A Theory of Justice,'' that placed our rights to liberty and justice upon a strong and brilliant new foundation of reason. Almost singlehandedly, John Rawls revived the disciplines of political and ethical philosophy with his argument that a society in which the most fortunate helped the least fortunate is not only a moral society but a logical one. Just as impressively, he has helped a whole generation of learned Americans revive their faith in democracy itself. Ladies and gentlemen, Margaret Rawls will accept the medal on behalf of her husband. Colonel, read the citation. [Lieutenant Colonel Everhart read the citation, and the President presented the medal.]”