Justice & Social Order

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Questions and Answers

Which type of justice is primarily concerned with how societies allocate resources and opportunities?

  • Corrective Justice
  • Distributive Justice (correct)
  • Retributive Justice
  • Restorative Justice

In the context of justice, what is the main objective of retributive justice?

  • To rehabilitate offenders through community service.
  • To redistribute wealth to reduce inequality.
  • To ensure that wrongdoers face appropriate consequences. (correct)
  • To compensate victims for their losses.

What distinguishes restorative justice from retributive justice?

  • Restorative justice aims to deter future crimes, while retributive justice seeks to rehabilitate offenders.
  • Restorative justice involves dialogue between the offender, victim, and community, while retributive justice focuses on penalizing the offender. (correct)
  • Restorative justice emphasizes punishment, while retributive justice focuses on repairing harm.
  • Restorative justice is applied in cases of minor offenses, while retributive justice is used for serious crimes.

Why is justice considered essential for maintaining social order?

<p>It promotes accountability and trust within the community. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A company pollutes a local river, affecting the health of nearby residents. Which approach aligns with restorative justice in addressing this issue?

<p>he company works with the community to clean up the river and compensate affected residents. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A government decides to implement a new tax policy where higher-income earners pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes. Which type of justice is most closely related to this action?

<p>Distributive Justice (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An individual is found guilty of fraud and sentenced to jail time. Which type of justice is primarily being applied in this scenario?

<p>Retributive Justice (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A community program is established to mediate disputes between offenders and victims, aiming to repair relationships and restore the community. This initiative is an example of:

<p>Restorative Justice (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the application of act consequentialism?

<p>A doctor prioritizes treating patients with the highest chance of survival during a pandemic, maximizing the number of lives saved. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does rule consequentialism differ from act consequentialism in its approach to moral decision-making?

<p>Rule consequentialism focuses on establishing rules that generally maximize overall well-being, while act consequentialism evaluates each action's immediate outcome. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies the application of social justice principles?

<p>A government implements policies ensuring equal access to healthcare and education for marginalized communities. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative, which of the following actions would be considered morally permissible?

<p>Following a universally accepted moral principle, such as not stealing. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following rights is most directly associated with the concept of personal autonomy and freedom from undue government intrusion?

<p>The right to privacy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario exemplifies a conflict between consequentialist and deontological ethical perspectives?

<p>A doctor considering whether to lie to a patient about a terminal diagnosis to spare them emotional distress. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A journalist is arrested for publishing an article critical of the government. Which human right is most directly being violated?

<p>Freedom of expression. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might a utilitarian justify a policy that infringes on the rights of a minority group?

<p>By demonstrating that the policy maximizes overall happiness for the majority, even if it causes some unhappiness for the minority. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between Jeremy Bentham's and John Stuart Mill's views on utilitarianism?

<p>Bentham argued that all pleasures are equal, while Mill distinguished between higher and lower pleasures. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical framework primarily determines the morality of an action based on its adherence to a set of rules or duties, regardless of the consequences?

<p>Deontology (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which situation highlights a violation of the 'right to equality before the law'?

<p>A wealthy individual receives a lighter sentence than a poor person for committing the same crime. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A government decides to implement a policy that benefits the majority of its citizens but infringes upon the rights of a minority group. Which ethical perspective would most likely find this policy problematic?

<p>Deontology (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A country denies women the right to vote in national elections. Which human right is being violated?

<p>Right to participate in government. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions would a deontologist most likely consider morally wrong?

<p>Lying to protect a friend from being arrested for a crime they committed. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might a consequentialist and a deontologist disagree on the morality of whistleblowing (reporting illegal or unethical activity) within a company?

<p>A consequentialist might support it if it leads to positive outcomes for society, while a deontologist might oppose it if it violates a duty of loyalty to the company. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An organization is deciding whether to outsource its manufacturing to a country with lower labor costs. From a consequentialist perspective, what would be the most important factor in making this decision?

<p>The overall net consequences, considering all stakeholders (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A person is detained by the police without being informed of the charges against them or given access to legal representation. Which human right is being violated?

<p>Right to liberty and security and right to a fair trial. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A company discovers that its new product has a safety flaw that could potentially harm a small percentage of users. Which action aligns most closely with a deontological approach to ethics?

<p>Recalling the product immediately and fixing the flaw, regardless of the cost (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A company is found to be paying its female employees less than its male employees for performing the same job with the same qualifications. Which human right is being violated?

<p>Right to work and fair wages and right to equality before the law. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might the concept of justice be applied differently when considering distributive justice versus procedural justice?

<p>Distributive justice focuses on fair outcomes, while procedural justice focuses on fair processes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which action would be considered a direct violation of the 'right to freedom of assembly'?

<p>A peaceful protest is forcibly dispersed by the police. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to virtue ethics, what is the primary source of ethical behavior?

<p>Developing and exhibiting good character traits that guide actions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does deontology differ from consequentialism in determining the morality of an action?

<p>Deontology assesses morality based on adherence to duties and rules, while consequentialism assesses morality based on outcomes. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Aristotle's 'Golden mean,' and how does it relate to virtue ethics?

<p>The concept that virtue lies in finding the balance between two extremes, excess and deficiency. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which question is most central to virtue ethics?

<p>What kind of person should I be to live ethically? (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Immanuel Kant's deontological ethics emphasizes which of the following principles?

<p>The significance of moral duties and the idea that individuals should be treated as ends in themselves, not merely as means. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a scenario where lying could prevent significant harm, how would a consequentialist likely approach the situation compared to a deontologist?

<p>A consequentialist would evaluate whether lying produces the best overall outcome, while a deontologist would likely view lying as inherently wrong, regardless of the outcome. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions best exemplifies virtue ethics in practice?

<p>Consistently demonstrating honesty, compassion, and courage in various situations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If forced to choose, which consideration would LEAST align with a deontological perspective when making a moral decision?

<p>Whether the action will lead to the best possible consequences. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Moral Theories

Moral theories are frameworks that help us understand right and wrong, guiding our ethical decisions.

Consequentialism

The rightness or wrongness of actions is judged by their consequences.

Utilitarianism

The right action maximizes happiness and benefit for the greatest number of people.

Act Consequentialism

Judging each individual action based on how much happiness it creates.

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Rule Consequentialism

Following rules that generally lead to the best outcomes in the long run.

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Deontology

Actions are right or wrong in themselves, regardless of their outcomes; focuses on duties and rules.

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Duty-Based Ethics

Moral duties that must be followed, regardless of the results.

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Categorical Imperative

Act only in ways that you believe everyone should act; universal moral rules.

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Immanuel Kant

He believed in reason and moral law and that people should be treated as ends, not means.

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Virtue Ethics

Focuses on the moral character of the agent rather than following rules or consequences.

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Character Over Action

Ethical behavior comes from being a good person; cultivate virtues to live ethically.

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The Golden Mean

Virtue lies between two extremes (excess and deficiency).

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Aristotle's virtue ethics

Developing good character traits to achieve human flourishing.

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Deontology focus

Focuses on duties or rules.

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Justice

Fairness and equal treatment with respect.

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Importance of Justice

Essential for social order; protects individual rights.

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Distributive Justice

Fair allocation of resources and benefits in society.

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Retributive Justice

Punishment proportionate to the crime.

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Restorative Justice

Repairing harm; dialogue between offender, victim, community.

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Progressive Taxation (Distributive Justice)

Wealthier individuals contribute more to public services.

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Sentencing for Theft (Retributive Justice)

Court assigns jail time matching the theft's severity.

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Atonement (Restorative Justice)

Thief returns goods, does service to fix their mistake.

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Human Rights

Entitlements inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status.

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Universal Declaration of Human Rights

A document adopted by the United Nations in 1948, outlining fundamental human rights to be universally protected.

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Well-being

Providing necessary support to ensure a satisfactory living condition.

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Dignity

The state of being worthy of respect.

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Social Justice

Emphasizes equality and fair treatment, especially for marginalized groups, by addressing systemic inequalities.

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Right to Life

The right to live and not be arbitrarily deprived of life by another person or entity.

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Right to Liberty and Security

The right to personal freedom and protection from unlawful arrest or detention.

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Right to Equality Before the Law

All individuals are treated equally and protected by the law without discrimination.

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Freedom of Expression

The right to express opinions freely without fear of punishment or censorship.

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Right to Privacy

Protection from unwarranted intrusion into one's personal matters, family, and home.

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Right to Education

The right to receive education, access knowledge and gain literacy.

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Study Notes

  • Moral theories offer frameworks for discerning right from wrong and guide ethical decision-making.
  • Consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics are three major moral theories.

Consequentialism

  • The morality of actions is determined by their outcomes or consequences.
  • An action yielding positive results is deemed the right action.
  • Utilitarianism posits that the right action maximizes happiness or benefit for the majority.

Types of Consequentialism

  • Act consequentialism focuses on individual actions and their specific outcomes, judged by the amount of happiness produced.
  • Rule consequentialism evaluates whether following certain rules generally leads to the best overall outcomes for society, deeming rules that help society as "right".
  • Jeremy Bentham, the founder of utilitarianism, stated actions are right if they promote happiness and wrong if they cause pain.
  • John Stuart Mill, a follower of Bentham, held that intellectual pleasures are more valuable than physical ones.

Deontology

  • Deontology says actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of their consequences.
  • Deontology emphasizes adherence to duties and rules.

Key Features of Deontology

  • Duty-based ethics emphasizes moral duties that must be followed irrespective of the outcome.
  • The categorical imperative advocates acting in ways one believes everyone should act.
  • Immanuel Kant, a philosopher, created the Categorical Imperative

Virtue Ethics

  • Virtue ethics prioritizes the character of the moral agent over rules or consequences.
  • It emphasizes the development of good character traits (virtues) for ethical living.

Key Features of Virtue Ethics

  • Character over action suggests that ethical behavior stems from being a good person.
  • The "golden mean," proposed by Aristotle, suggests virtue lies between extremes of excess and deficiency.
  • Aristotle emphasized developing good character traits (virtues) to achieve eudaimonia (human flourishing) and is considered the father of virtue ethics.

Comparing Theories

  • Consequentialism focuses on outcomes/consequences.
  • Deontology focuses on duties/rules.
  • Virtue ethics focuses on character/virtues.
  • Consequentialism asks "What will result in the greatest happiness?"
  • Deontology asks "What are my moral duties?"
  • Virtue ethics asks "What kind of person should I be?"
  • Key proponents of consequentialism are Bentham and Mill.
  • A key proponent of deontology is Kant.
  • A key proponent of virtue ethics is Aristotle.

Concept of Justice

  • Justice is a core concept referring to fairness and equal respect for individuals.
  • Justice maintains social order, protects rights, promotes accountability and builds trust.

Main Types of Justice

  • Distributive justice concerns the fair allocation of resources and benefits within society.
  • Retributive justice involves punishment for wrongdoing.
  • Restorative justice aims to repair harm through dialogue between offender, victim, and community.
  • Social justice advocates for equality and fair treatment, especially for marginalized groups.

Human Rights

  • Human rights are fundamental rights and freedoms from birth until death.
  • Human rights protect dignity, equality, and freedom and form the basis of a just society.

Basic Human Rights

  • The right to life is the right to not be arbitrarily deprived of life.
  • The right to liberty and security includes freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention.
  • The right to equality before the law ensures equal treatment and protection.
  • Freedom of expression is the right to express opinions without retaliation.
  • The right to privacy protects against interference with personal privacy, family, and home.
  • The right to education provides access to education as a basic right.
  • The right to work and fair wages is the right to gain employment and receive fair compensation.
  • Freedom of assembly is the right to gather peacefully and form associations.
  • The right to participate in government includes voting and running for office.
  • The right to a fair trial includes a fair and impartial hearing and legal representation.
  • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the UN in 1948, enshrines these rights.

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