Lesson 4 Living in a Just World: Social Justice PDF

Living in a Just World: SOCIAL JUSTICE “My humanity is bound up in yours, For we can only be human together.” - Desmond Tutu Review: What is dignity Dignity is the right of a person to be valued and respected for their own sake, and to be treated ethically. (Wikip...

Living in a Just World: SOCIAL JUSTICE “My humanity is bound up in yours, For we can only be human together.” - Desmond Tutu Review: What is dignity Dignity is the right of a person to be valued and respected for their own sake, and to be treated ethically. (Wikipedia) Some examples of dignity may include self-esteem, self-love, self-worth, self-appreciation, self-confidence, and self-care. Review: What is human dignity? Human dignity is the belief that all people hold a special value that’s tied solely to their humanity. It has nothing to do with their class, race, gender, religion, abilities, or any other factor other than them being human. WHAT IS SOCIAL JUSTICE? Justice is the moral virtue that firmly asserts people to give others due to them. Justice obliges us to respect the dignity and rights of others. FOUR TYPES OF JUSTICE  1. Commutative Justice  Commutative comes from the latin word commutare which means to “exchange one thing with another”.  It is a just that focuses on the obligation of one person to another because of the specific relationship that they have through an agreement, transaction, or a contract.  It regulates the exchange of goods and services that take place according to what is agreed upon by the parties.  The principle to give to each person that to which he or she is entitled, according to the rules of the price system, means to give him or her that to which he or she is entitled, if the price context complies with its own rules. FOUR TYPES OF JUSTICE  2.Distributive Justice It pertains to the relationship between society and its members. The society, through the leaders should give or distribute to the individual members of the society what is rightfully theirs. The even distribution of benefits and ills on all members of society regardless of income, race, etc. FOUR TYPES OF JUSTICE  3. Contributive or Legal Justice  It regulates the citizen’s obligations of the members of the state.  It is legal because their obligations to the state are usually expressed through their observance of the laws of the land.  Emphasizes that justice is achieved not when benefits are received, but rather when there is both the duty and opportunity for everyone to contribute labor and decision-making  As members of the state, everyone should contribute to the betterment of the society. FOUR TYPES OF JUSTICE  4. Social Justice  Social Justice concerns the social, political and economic aspects and, above all, the structural dimension of problems and their respective solutions. (Compendum 201)  A fair and equitable division of resources, opportunities, and privileges in society.  However, the focus of social justice is basically on the institutions, systems, and structures of society that either facilitate or hinder the exercise of human rights at the local, national and international levels. (See textbook p. 126 for the basic structure of the society) Elements of a Just World 1. Concern for Basic Needs Do not make the poor ask for what God, their Father, wants them to have. We should apologize if they have to ask for what they need. – St. Vincent de Paul Elements of a Just World 2. Concern for Personal Dignity Show respect to everyone. Empower others by encouraging them in their endeavors or activities. Do not laugh at others. Elements of a Just World 3. Concern for Solidarity To be in solidarity with others in building a just community means to open up oneself to sharing, caring, and helping others. Elements of a Just World  4. Concern for Social Structures Social frameworks are systematic/outline that exist in the society. It is composed of individuals who can contribute to forming just and life-giving systems. Everybody can do something to promote social justice. What is the duty of every member? Every member should work toward attaining a just world.