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Theories of Justice

The Classical Theory of Justice

The Classical Theory of Justice

The classical theory of justice is one of the oldest and most influential theories of justice. It is based on the ideas of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, who believed that justice should be based on merit and desert. In other words, people should be rewarded or punished based on their actions and abilities.

Two Types of Justice

According to the classical theory of justice, there are two types of justice:

  • Distributive justice: deals with the fair distribution of goods and benefits in society
  • Corrective justice: deals with the fair punishment of wrongdoers.

Principles of Distributive Justice

One of the key principles of distributive justice in the classical theory is the principle of proportionality. This principle states that people should receive benefits and rewards in proportion to their contributions and abilities. Another important principle is the principle of need, which states that people should receive benefits and resources based on their needs, rather than their contributions or abilities.

Corrective Justice

Corrective justice in the classical theory is based on the idea of retribution. This means that wrongdoers should be punished in proportion to the harm they have caused. The punishment should be severe enough to deter others from committing similar crimes, but not so severe that it becomes cruel or unjust.

In summary, the classical theory of justice is based on the principles of merit, desert, proportionality, and need. It emphasizes the fair distribution of goods and benefits in society, as well as the fair punishment of wrongdoers.

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The Utilitarian Theory of Justice

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