Justice

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

Justice has a broad definition which is about fairness, equality. Many different theorists believe different things about justice and how it should work.

Question 2

Jeremy Bentham

Answer 2

Jeremy Bentham:
Utilitarianism - activities are judged on whether it gives greatest happiness to greatest number of people.
More about the outcome than act.
Interest of individual is sacrificed for the interest of many.

Question 3

Immanuel Kant (contrast with Bentham)

Answer 3

Disagrees with utilitarianism
An act is more important than the consequence.
If an act is wrong then it doesn’t matter how much happiness it produces.
Torture conflict - utilitarianisms accept torture if it benefits society but Kantians state it is never permissible.
(R v Dudley and Stevens) - not supported eating the cabin boy.

Question 4

Aristotle (distributive justice)

Answer 4

Goods should be distributed based on a persons value to society.

Question 5

Define distributive justice

Answer 5

The fairest way of distributing society’s benefits and responsibilities.

Question 6

Karl Marx (contrast to Aristotle)

Answer 6

Can’t have justice in a capitalist society.
People receive resources based on what they need despite their contributions.
Problem - undeserving people getting resources and putting in no effort.
Example - NHS - people get what they need despite contributions.

Question 7

John Rawls (social justice)

Answer 7

Burdens and benefits of society are distributed in an equitable manner.
Distribution of primary goods - money, rights.
Only inequality if it helps disadvantaged
Law makers - forget place in society and class and make laws that bring about people being treated justly
Problems - difficult to be able to put oneself behind a veil of ignorance as people will still try to further their own issues and help themselves.