JUSTICE ORJUSTICE ORFAIRNESSFAIRNESS

APPROACHAPPROACH

Presented by Brad, Nina, and TonyaPresented by Brad, Nina, and Tonya

Intro to Ethics T/1:30Intro to Ethics T/1:30

Fairness or Justice Approach states: Fairness or Justice Approach states:

“ “ Treat all people equally, or if Treat all people equally, or if unequally, than fairly based on some unequally, than fairly based on some standard that is defensible.”standard that is defensible.”

Fairness requires consistency in the Fairness requires consistency in the way people are treated.way people are treated.

Focuses on how fairly or unfairly our Focuses on how fairly or unfairly our actions distribute benefits and actions distribute benefits and burdens among the members of a burdens among the members of a group.group.

The fairness or justice approach The fairness or justice approach to ethics has its roots in the to ethics has its roots in the

teachings of the ancient Greek teachings of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotlephilosopher Aristotle

Aristotle stated, Aristotle stated, “Equals should “Equals should be treated be treated equally, and equally, and unequals unequals unequally.”unequally.”

John RawlsJohn Rawls

Political Political philosopher of the philosopher of the 2020thth Century Century

Wrote many Wrote many influential articles influential articles in the 50’s and in the 50’s and 60’s60’s

““We are both We are both rational and rational and reasonable”reasonable”

““A Theory of Justice” A Theory of Justice” by John Rawlsby John Rawls

Rawls makes clear Rawls makes clear that the that the guaranteed guaranteed freedom of each freedom of each and every and every individual is individual is essential to the essential to the establishment of a establishment of a just society.just society.

Rawls believed the principles of Rawls believed the principles of justice apply to the "basic structure" justice apply to the "basic structure" of fundamental social institutions of fundamental social institutions (courts, markets, the constitution, (courts, markets, the constitution, etc)etc)

Rawls imagined people in the state of Rawls imagined people in the state of nature, that is, before a society is nature, that is, before a society is formedformed

CriticismCriticism

Who has the right to say what is Who has the right to say what is justified or fair?justified or fair?

Martha C. Nussbaum author of Martha C. Nussbaum author of “Frontiers of Justice,” criticizes Rawls “Frontiers of Justice,” criticizes Rawls theory because he does not cater to theory because he does not cater to the needs of disabled peoplethe needs of disabled people

She also said that, “Rawls confines She also said that, “Rawls confines himself to articulating principles of himself to articulating principles of justice to domestic society”.justice to domestic society”.

Application Application to to

Health CareHealth Care

Adding Justice to the DebateAdding Justice to the Debate

Tends to focus on the uninsured Tends to focus on the uninsured rather than healthcare itselfrather than healthcare itself

The continuing increase in cost of The continuing increase in cost of healthcare to the increasing healthcare to the increasing uninsureduninsured

Must attend to the basic medical Must attend to the basic medical needs to all no matter of insurance needs to all no matter of insurance

Must accommodate the unemployed Must accommodate the unemployed as well as the employedas well as the employed

REVIEW QUESTIONSREVIEW QUESTIONS

1.1. Does this theory protect the moral Does this theory protect the moral rights of all individuals?rights of all individuals?

2.2. Are we a just and fair society?Are we a just and fair society?

3.3. Is justice a cause or consequence of Is justice a cause or consequence of social motives?social motives?