<aside> 💡 Be a just man in a world of tyrants.

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• Abusing power is typically the cause of injustice.

<aside> 💡 Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought. - John Rawls

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Theories of Justice

• Utilitarianism: the proper course of action is one that maximizes the overall good for the greatest number of individuals.
• Libertarianism: individual liberty is the basics moral principle.
• John Locke - people have “unalienable rights” - life, liberty, property - originally given to us as human beings in the state of nature.
• Kant - autonomy: acting according to laws that you give yourself. The moral worth of an action depends on the motive. You must do the right thing for the right reason. Humans are not a means to and end but an end to themselves.
• Rawls - a theory of Justice. The moral force of a contract depends on obligation and mutual benefits. But in real life one side usually has a power in balance, which creates asymmetry.
• Aristotle - justice requires giving people what they deserve. The best flutes should go to the best flute players, because the purpose of a flute is to be played well.
• Retributive Justice - punishment should be proportionate to the crime.
• Restorative justice - focuses on the needs of the victims and the involved community.

Exercises

• Visit a prison
• Give away something that matters a lot to you
• Go visit someone you strongly disagree with and listen to them
• Volunteer with IJM?
• Read Acts, the early church