Because it is a relatively new and unpopular notion, social justice is not a term that is defined. People are often action-takers rather than thinkers. Hence, the majority of people do not understand the concept of social justice. Despite this, modern philosophers continue to attempt to define justice without fully comprehending its nature. Many philosophers have tried to delve deeper into and better define social justice. These thinkers include Nozick, Rawls, and Hayek. Although their theories of justice were significant, they would not have existed without Plato’s influence and the contribution that their ideas of justice have made to political philosophy.
John Rawls, an American philosopher who lived in the 20th century, first proposed the idea that justice equals fairness (Swift). According to his theory, individuals will act more fairly than they would if they knew what form of justice they would receive. However, twentieth-century American philosopher Robert Nozick rejected Rawls’ idea. Nozick stated that attempts to level the playing field by nature are futile and should not be made. He said people have a right to their possessions so long as they do not unfairly steal or acquire them. In Friedrich von Hayek’s opinion, the fundamental concept of social fairness is a hallucination. According to Hayek, there is no need to justify inequality in the first place (Swift).
According to Plato, justice covers both the just person and the just government. In addition to influencing the growth of political theory, Plato’s notion of justice also affected the theories of Nozick and Hayek. He thought that justice was a moral idea rather than a legal one. He also asserted that there are two levels—individual and social—at which justice can be understood. Even so, he maintained that people could not advance because they were born into their current class. People are socially situated without their consent.
The idea of justice has long been significant in political theory. Because it imposes a specific standard of goodness on people’s activities and compels them to pay attention to those actions, justice is one of the most fundamental social, ethical, and moral ideas that individuals deal with daily and political theory. The definition of justice for each individual will determine how he or she view society. What it means to distribute justly is a topic of much debate. As a result, those who breach the law are punished by what others deem to be “just” or “just” to safeguard the community.
Finally, many philosophers have tried to define justice, including social justice. While they may have some things in common, their views on what constitutes a just society differ significantly. The most intriguing theories came from Nozick, Rawls, and Hayek, all influenced by the great philosopher Plato. Justice is crucial in ensuring that society operates effectively and to its fullest potential.
Work Cited
Swift, Adam. Political Philosophy. 3rd ed., Polity Press, 2013.