ETHICS 1013
MODULE 17
TYPES OF JUSTICE
ETHICS 1013 – MODULE 17
WHAT IS JUSTICE?
It is the virtue of giving someone or
something what is due.
It is the act of showing fairness, equity and
righteousness.
It involves treating people according to
what is morally right and proper.
WHAT IS JUSTICE?
It is balancing individual rights with the greater good.
Think of it as giving each person their “due” whether
in the court, in the society or personal interactions.
Plato described it as harmony in the soul or society.
It is a concept that may shift depending on the
context, culture and values. It can show up in
different ways
LEGAL JUSTICE
It is following laws and rules and punishing
wrongdoings as prescribed by law.
The virtue that regulates those actions which
society justly requires of the individual for the
common good. According to legal justice, the
State may institute just laws and perform such
acts to enhance the welfare of the community.
LEGAL JUSTICE
Legal justice is the obligation of the government
to its citizens and society. The aim of Legal
Justice is the rule of law, protect the society and
preserve the rights of individuals.
Thus, import duties, fire and traffic regulations,
anti-pollution laws, and similar provisions of the
State concern legal justice.
LEGAL JUSTICE
Example:
A court trial where a person accused of theft is
given a fair hearing, judged based on evidence,
and if found guilty, receive a proportionate
punishment according to the law.
In here, the rule of law is upheld, the society is
protected and the accused rights are protected.
COMMUTATIVE JUSTICE
It deals with fairness in exchanges or transaction
between individuals or parties. It is ensuring that
what is given and received is equivalent,
focusing on the principle of reciprocity like in
contracts, trade or restitution as Aristotle
discussed in his Nicomachean Ethics.
X + Y = Y + X , A= B
COMMUTATIVE JUSTICE
It is the fair dealing in voluntary interactions.
Examples would be ensuring a fair price for goods
exchanged or services rendered or
compensating for damages in a car accident.
Tricycle driver: I give you a ride, you pay me P20.
DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE
It is the fairness in how society distributes its
resources, benefits and burdens which may include:
Economic goods: income (salary), wealth and jobs
Burdens: taxes and other responsibilities
It maintains that everyone should get a share of the
society’s resources based mainly on contribution or
effort. The higher the salary, the higher the tax.
DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE
The idea of JOHN RAWLS (1971-Theory of Justice)
introduces justice as fairness with two principles:
1. Equal Liberty Principle: Everyone has equal rights
to basic liberties.
2. Difference Principle: Social and economic
inequalities are only justified if they benefit the
least advantaged members of society.
These principles were seen in Rawls’ “veil of
ignorance” thought experiment.
DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE
Minimum material resources are an absolute
necessity for human life. Distributive justice
requires that the allocation of income, wealth,
and power in society be evaluated in the light of
its effects on persons whose basic material needs
are unmet.
Rawls’ Difference Principle suggests that
inequalities are only justified if they benefit the
least in the society.
DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE
Rawls’ Difference Principle suggests that
inequalities are only justified if they benefit the
least in the society. Resources should go to those
who need them most.
DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE
Minimum material resources are an absolute necessity for
human life. Distributive justice requires that the allocation
of income, wealth, and power in society be evaluated in
the light of its effects on persons whose basic material
needs are unmet.
If persons are to be recognized as members of the human
community, then the community has an obligation to help
fulfill these basic needs unless an absolute scarcity of
resources makes this strictly impossible.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
It is about promoting a fair and equitable society by
addressing systemic inequalities and advocating for
the rights and dignity of all people, especially the
marginalized groups. It focuses on:
Equal Access to resources like education, healthcare.
Addressing Discrimination based on race, gender,
class or sexual preferences.
Empowerment supporting vulnerable groups to have
voice and equal standing.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
It is about creating a more just and inclusive society
were the lowly, the weak and the marginalized are
given more access, attention and capacity to live at
par with the rich, the influential and the powerful.
It is the push for policy changes ( civil rights, feminsm,
LGBTQ, poverty reduction, structural designs) that seek
to level the playing ground for all.
RETRIBUTIVE JUSTICE
It is a kind of justice that focuses on punishing the
offender for their wrong doing making them
accountable for their actions and making them pay
their debts to the individual or the society thus serving
justice to the victim.
It happens when someone commits a crime, he is
caught, put to trial and if convicted, he will face
penalty like imprisonment and/ or fines.
RETRIBUTIVE JUSTICE
In order to maintain justice:
First, innocent, or unable people should not be
punished.
Second, there must be evidence of guilt. Only guilty
people deserve appropriate punishment.
Finally, punishment system must be consistent and
proportionate. The punishment should fit the crime and
everyone who committed such crime deserve to suffer
the consequences of their actions.
COMPENSATORY JUSTICE
It deals with just offsetting the loss of a person who is
wronged by others.
The rationale behind this theory is that the person who
damages someone else by doing a wrong must
compensate that person’s loss.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
This kind of justice is a more holistic and inclusive approach to
justice that focuses on repairing harm, healing and reconciliation
rather than punishment or retribution.
This kind of justice focuses on:
RESTORING what was or may be lost in the process of rendering
justice.
Gives emphasis on the dignity of persons.
Opening an avenue for persons to retrive one’s dignity, restore
relationships destroyed and compensate any loss one has
caused upon the other.
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
Instead of just punishing the offender, the victim,
offender and community are brought together to talk,
listen and share how they have been impacted by the
crime or conflict to address the harm caused and work
towards healing and reparation by apologizing,
paying restitution and doing community service.
This renders an opportunity to make up without running
from the responsibility upon the mistake committed.
ECONOMIC SYSTEMS
ETHICS 1013 - MODULE 17
CAPITALISM
An economic system in which factories, equipment, or
other means of production are privately owned rather
than controlled by the government.
Example – United State of America
CAPITALISM (LAISSEZ-FAIRE)
The idea that the free market, through supply and
demand, will regulate itself if government does not
interfere.
Government should be “hands off” with big business
Highest form of capitalism
Example: Rise of Industry in America in 19th Century
SOCIALISM
A political and economic theory that advocates
ownership of the means of production, such as
factories and farms, by the people rather than by
capitalists and land owners.
Power belongs to the working class
Example: China, Yugoslavia (parts of U.S.S.R.)
COMMUNISM
An economic or political system in which the state or
the community owns all property and the means of
production, and all citizens share the wealth.
Creates a classless society
Example: Vietnam, Cuba, U.S.S.R.
THE END
ETHICS 1013 - MODULE 17