Communitarians, like Michael Sandel, challenge Rawls’s focus on abstract individualism by emphasizing that our identities and values are deeply shaped by our communities and shared histories. They argue that principles of justice cannot be fully determined without considering the cultural, social, and historical contexts in which individuals exist. Instead of assuming that individuals in the original position are entirely detached from their backgrounds, communitarians believe that mutual understanding and common values are essential for forming a truly just society. This perspective insists that justice is not just a matter of impartial distribution of goods but also the recognition of the roles that community relationships and traditions play in defining what is fair.