Essay On Social Justice

Social justice is fairness, an act that shows regard and looks after the safety and rights of our fellow human beings. Social justice requires that the rules of society are fair for all and that all people abide by these rules. Equality is a major context in social justice and plays an important part in social fairness issues, for example fair treatment given to people and treated as equal persons by having their basic needs met (Buettner-Schmidt & Lobo, 2011, p. 948-952). However these principles usually come into conflict making it difficult to have these objectives met. Social justice is related to individual’s being respected, being treated fairly and given dignity without showing bias. This then results in people’s perception of being treated honestly, openly and with consideration, thereby supporting and engaging in the wider social system (Buettner-Schmidt & Lobo, 2011, p. 948-952).

Social justice has several theoretical perspectives to argue ones viewpoint of justice and fairness. This assessment will endeavour to highlight three of these perspectives on what social justice means.

Utilitarian Perspectives:
According to utilitarianism, a society has its laws and institutions to promote the greatest overall or average happiness to its people. How is this happiness determined to the members of society? Happiness cannot be directly measured with anything we have available, so utilitarians must approach this indirectly – that being an idea of good (Camic, 1979, p.519-522). This theory of good is required for them to flourish with social conditions and forms, that will benefit people in society and is essential to the recognition of that good, which is the principle of utility (Camic, 1979, p.519-522). People thoug...

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...ere is pure competition, hence the individuals who cannot be in competition are robbed of justice and fairness. Libertarians don’t seem to realize that the conditions of justice require attention for individuals who need to be free of coercion or fraud and having equality. In comparing the feminist perception, this has highlighted the steps put forward in helping women to gain status in society to have fair and equal rights. We can take into account that the utilitarians did support the equality of women in society intended for the general welfare and promotion of justice.

Along with the strategies above, confronting culture-based obstacles to social justice, social change activists should continue to support every opportunity for policy change and concentrate of social injustice, with long term emphasis on involvement in social equality for all human beings.