Western political thought, Lecture notes of Political Science

Download Western political thought and more Lecture notes Political Science in PDF only on Docsity! THEORY OF JUSTICE Justice Universal justice particular justice distributive justice commutative justice UNIVERSAL JUSTICE Anything done according to law is just All lawful things are just. • It refers to obedience of law law? : common general rules made to regulate people/ community COMMUTATIVE JUSTICE • Work of judiciary • This type of justice is required in case where one individual acts against other in such a way that the wrong doer gain and the victim suffer • In this case the judge takes “gain” from the wrong doers and return it to the victim i.e. restoring equality. • The agent is punished and victim is compensated • The need of this type of justice is arise out of:- • Voluntary act [ buying, selling, lending] • Involuntary act [ theft, poisoning, murder, etc.] COMPARE PLATONIC AND ARISTOTELIAN CONCEPT OF JUSTICE Both have common area of agreement They aim at discovering a principal of capacity with the application of which, unity, harmony, virtue and happiness are to be established. Both of them advocate giving a man his due in accordance with his capacity or nature. Both can be regarded as distributive in nature. If Plato’s aim is to obtain a harmonious development of man’s nature, Aristotle aim to avoid extremism. In both cases justice is ultimately functional, teleological and moral principle. CONTRAST PLATONIC AND ARISTOTELIAN CONCEPT OF JUSTICE Aristotle, unlike his teacher Plato has given two aspect of justice 1. Absolute 2.Relative He speaks of absolute justice as existing only among equal and free men “ whose mutual relations are governed by law” Moreover Plato never touch equity. Justice to Plato meant functional, non interference governing the relation of unequal men and dissimilar classes. Justice to Aristotle meant, justice between fellow citizens, who are equal before the law, is justice per excellence.