The idea of public reason isn't about the right answers to all these questions, but about the kinds of reasons that they ought to be answered by.

The idea of public reason has to do with how questions should be decided, but it doesn't tell you what are the good reasons or correct decisions.

Ideally a just constitution would be a just procedure arranged to insure a just outcome.

Ideally citizens are to think of themselves as if they were legislators and ask themselves what statutes, supported by what reasons satisfying the criterion of reciprocity, they would think is most reasonable to enact.

The principles of justice are chosen behind a veil of ignorance.

The fault of the utilitarian doctrine is that it mistakes impersonality for impartiality.

No one deserves his greater natural capacity nor merits a more favorable starting place in society.