Political Justice Midterm Exam Nicole Hughes In 2010, a Tennessee house fire sparked debate across the country. The house was left to burn while the firefighters watched, because the homeowners, the Cranicks, lived in a rural area that was not included in fire service, and they had not paid their subscription fee to receive the help. In this paper, I will take three theories of justice; the Utilitarian theory, the Rawlsian theory, and the Libertarian theory, and apply it to this unique situation
journal article titled “Justice as Fairness: Political not Metaphysical” written by John Rawls, Rawls discusses the concept of “justice as fairness.” Rawls argues that “justice as fairness is intended as a political conception of justice” (Rawls 1985, 224). However, Rawls notes that while justice as fairness is a moral conception, in this context, justice as fairness is framed to apply the “basic structure of modern constitutional democracy” including society’s “main political, social and economic institutions
Though perfection often seems distant, in Plato’s Republic Socrates builds an argument claiming that justice overall is better than injustice. Though ideal, but nearly impossible, Socrates claims that the perfectly just contains a duality between political and individual justice. Furthermore, the perfectly just city contains different caste systems, different types of rulers, and a different societal setting. Socrates deepens his argument in Book V by presenting three reforms that contain elements
Godwin's "Political Justice." A Reprint of the Essay on "Property," from the Original Edition. London: Allen & Unwin, 1890. Print. Political justice Godwin had insisted on utilitarian groups that in the case of a fire, one had an obligation to rescue first the person most likely to benefit rather than an immediate as a family member. It is a moral obligation to have the well being of living individuals especially the family members depend on one. Godwin’s best work is the political theory. “They
of readers. However, Godwin designed the work "to answer a purpose more general and important than immediately appears on the face of it."2 Written immediately after the publication of Godwin's first and most famous work, Enquiry Concerning Political Justice (1793), Caleb Williams serves as a vehicle for Godwin to introduce his philosophy to the general public. The issue he addresses in the novel is that of "things as they are... While one party pleads for reformation and change, the other extols
Justice, Convention, and Political Virtue in Aristophanes’ Clouds: Aristophanes’ Clouds begins by introducing the audience to Strepsiades, a simple-minded and old man who finds himself in debt due to his son’s ,Pheidippides, expensive hobby. Strepsiades asks Pheidippides to attend Socrates’ thinkery; a place where Pheidippides could learn a speech that he could then use to talk the city and Strepsiades’ creditors out of collecting the debt. From the very initial moment of this play, therefore,
the different forms of justice. In Sophocles’ Antigone, it is shown that in society it is often the ideal of human justice that is put into action, but to people divine justice would often take precedence. This idea is echoed in Plato’s Euthyphro and Apology where this human (or political) justice is eventually put into actions, while this theoretical higher form of justice – philosophical – is brushed aside. While it may not be the most relevant of these forms of justice, it is shown again and again
therefore, clearly introduces a significant political problem. I believe that the best example of ethical egoism is displayed in Book I of Plato's The Republic. In this Book, Plato introduces the idea of ethical egoism, explains the political problem posed by it, and addresses the problem through the words of Socrates. I will use this paper to explain and clarify the arguments for and against the concept of ethical egoism, with specific focus on the political problem it poses and the proper approach
of socioeconomic disparities or whether other factors associated with race are also related to the distribution of environmental hazards” (Mohai and Saha 2007: 345). Many of these factors include economic positions, health disparities, social and political affairs, as well as racial inequalities. A large number of low-income and minority families live in poor economic conditions. The economy is altered on account of multinational companies locating new facilities where land values and operation costs
community initiatives, similar to transformative peacebuilding. It is important that each situation is evaluated and the best suited institutions and structures are established. This means that in some situations the structures of politics, economics, justice and governance will not conform to the formulaic liberal model. Bottom up initiatives allow for engagement with local institutions, customs and norms (Newman,et Al.,2009,46). Furthermore, a transformative peacebuilding approach would empathize addressing
examines the topic of justice: ancient eye-for-an-eye progressing toward modern disinterested justice, attributing all to the gods. Similarly, in Dante Alighieri’s Inferno each sinner is placed in a punishment to fit his crime: divine perfection of justice. * Miguel de Cervantes approaches the other side of justice, Don Quixote questions what happens when an antiquated or fictional moral code is put into play in a different time or place. * What is Justice? Aeschylus suspends justice somewhere between
In the Republic that Plato wrote in 380 before J.C. to give his opinion of the political state and justice, many definitions are given through the character of Socrates, who was Plato's mentor, and through characters inspired of Greek philosophers, generally sophists, as Thrasymachus, and Glaucon, who was Plato's own brother. Definitions are given as outcomes of debates between Socrates and the sophists, during which each character leads at a moment or another, until a stronger argument, usually
In, Book II of “The Republic of Plato” Socrates affirms there to be a true distinction between lies “to the soul” and lies “in speech.” As Socrates engages with Adeiamantus, his observation comes to fruition. Lies in the soul is the worst type of sorrow a man can feel comparable to other lying told or story telling. The purpose of this paper is to establish the difference between lies of the soul and lies in speech, why that separation is justified to be true, observe how lies in speech are effective
The way the government structure is organized has been changing ever since humans began to live in a polis. The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle believed that humans were political animals, thus the reason for organizing ourselves into a political state. However the way governments are organized, and which political system works best has been the centrepiece for many violent conflicts in the past, and will continue to challenge the world into the future. Yet a new form of organization is taking
tells the clergymen about non-violent direct action and how he and his people have waited too long by saying “Justice too long delayed is justice denied” (par. 11), and that action must be taken in order for them to fight for their goal of racial equality and instill peace in society once more. In the letter “Letter from Birmingham Jail” King also says, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (par. 4), because if there is unjust behavior anywhere, others may think that
of Plato's “The Republic” Socrates defines justice in the individual as analogous to justice in the state. I will explain Socrates' definition of justice in the individual, and then show that Socrates cannot certify that his definition of justice is correct, without asking further questions about justice. I will argue that if we act according to this definition of justice, then we do not know when we are acting just. Since neither the meaning of justice, nor the meaning of good judgement, is contained
Conversely, he did stress that justice begins with the quality of the individual in that, “Justice means minding one’s own business and not meddling with other men’s concerns.” (P.p.127). While most interpretations believe that this is the correct definition of justice, Plato also offers that justice can be viewed when the divisions of labor work in harmony. For instance, Plato argued that when one finds justice in a new city, justice is not centralized to one person, but rather to
from the New Standard Greek Text and an introduction by C.D.C. Reeve is the compilation of Plato’s teachings. An incredibly common concept that is discussed throughout the text is the idea of Justice and what it truly means to be just and to live a just life. Plato is asked to argue his definition of justice and explain why his definition is the correct one. Plato is not the only philosopher who analyzes what it means to be just and what it truly means to be considered a good citizen. Aristotle:
The subject matter of the “Republic” is the nature of justice and its relation to human existence. Book I of the “republic” contains a critical examination of the nature and virtue of justice. Socrates engages in a dialectic with Thrasymachus, Polemarchus, and Cephalus, a method which leads to the asking and answering of questions which directs to a logical refutation and thus leading to a convincing argument of the true nature of justice. And that is the main function of Book I, to clear the ground
Between Plato and Hobbes they have very different views on how justice and unjust can be served. Plato disagrees with what Glaucon has said about it but does say how it has reason. Hobbes refer to the justice as laws within the human nature and life. I will be showing the contrast between Plato and Hobbes views that are against or for Glaucon. Plato is able to refute the claim that made by Glaucon because he views justice as a political body instead of Glaucon views on it. “And to those who, not being