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Theories of Justice
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THEORIES OF JUSTICE
12/10/19
Justice: the action that leads to the greatest good.
A just government should set rules that maintain the greatest good.
So what is the greatest good is?
Utilitarianism
Utilitarian Justice
The greatest good: reduce pain and maximize (increase) pleasure
Determined by a cost/benefit analysis; like an equation
Bentham
There is one thing, and one thing only, that is desirable in its self: pleasure.
The greatest good should be based on whether the consequences of the action produce more pleasure than pain.
John Stuart Mill
Justice: based on the social contract established between citizens and their government.
A just society is based on laws that most rational people would choose to adopt.
So how do we know which laws to adopt when there is disagreement?
Social Contract
Social Contract Justice
People ought to abide by two rules when making laws:
First, people should not consider their own selfish interests but rather common goods.
Second, people are placed behind a ‘veil of ignorance’ that deprives them of any knowledge of personal characteristics, such as their gender, their place in society, or the talents and skills they possess.
All will choose to live under impartial laws that work to no-one’s advantage in particular.
John Rawls
If the individual will gain more by cooperating with others, then that individual would choose the outcome that leaves them better off than they were.
Laws and institutions that come about from this general consensus are just.
Gauthier
Justice: treating everyone equally
Government should rule impartially and consistently. People must be treated equally.
But, what is equality? It could be the case that the same rule applied to people leads to an unequal outcome. Is this still justice?
Egalitarianism
Egalitarian Justice
Equality: political and economic status should rest on individual merit
Justice requires that no-one should be disadvantaged compared to others on account of uncontrollable factors - e.g. ‘brute’ bad luck, physical ability, social class, etc...
Inequalities that arise through the exercise of personal responsibility are justified.
Equality of Oppurtunity
Equality: equality of democratic citizenship and civil liberties
Equal rights to life, liberty, property, etc...