What is Justice? Lecture Notes Week 5

It is only from the selfishness and confined generosity of men, along with the scanty provision nature has made for his wants, that justice derives its origin. It is only from the selfishness and confined generosity of men, along with the scanty provision nature has made for his wants, that justice derives its origin. David Hume A Treatise of Human Nature, 1739

Introduction Hume’s “circumstances of justice” What if we had no sympathy limit and unlimited resources? What if we had no sympathy limit and unlimited resources? We are not complete altruists, nor are resources unlimited Examples Examples

Introduction Economic justice There are huge differences between rich and poor There are huge differences between rich and poorExample Is this unjust? The question that this example begs…

Merit and Desert Synonyms? Nondeserved merit Desert involves action

Merit and Desert Merit-desert distinction Example Desert is connected to effort and intention Merit signifies positive qualities that call forth positive response Example – Carl Lewis

Justice based on desert Marx What does Marx think about capitalism? What does Marx think about capitalism? Ideal communism is distribution based on need Ideal communism is distribution based on need Everyone is equally deserving and each contributes according to his/her maximal ability Capitalist structure robs the worker Capitalist structure robs the workerExample

Problems with justice as desert Leading political philosophers reject it Why? What are the criteria? What are the criteria? How is desert measured? How is desert measured? Is the concept coherent? Is the concept coherent?

The criteria problem What is measured? Contribution? Contribution? Compensation? Compensation? Effort? Effort? Example: pushing a car

The Measurement Problem Modern labour is more cooperative Examples: farmers vs. chair-makers vs. building a skyscraper Examples: farmers vs. chair-makers vs. building a skyscraper Who is to judge the most deserving economic reward? Who is to judge the most deserving economic reward?

The Coherency Problem We don’t “deserve” the cards we’re dealt Genetics, wealth, appearance Genetics, wealth, appearance Occurrences are random – fate Occurrences are random – fate

The Coherency Problem 1.If we deserve anything, we must be the authors of our own selves 2.We are not the authors of our own selves 3.Thus we do not deserve anything Problem with this argument What about free will? What about free will?

Classical Liberalism Justice is based on our RIGHTS Locke Locke was a Christian Locke was a Christian God Gave earth to everyone in common God Gave earth to everyone in common We take what we need to survive We take what we need to survive Leave “enough, and as good” Leave “enough, and as good”

Classical Liberalism Locke’s basic property argument: I own my body and my labour I own my body and my labour In labouring with nature, I mix my labour with the object In labouring with nature, I mix my labour with the object If the object is unowned, it becomes my property If the object is unowned, it becomes my property Example Example

Classical Liberalism Nozick’s reply to Locke’s property argument Gain vs. loss Gain vs. loss Locke’s argument is suitable to a particular kind of society Nozick’s entitlement theory

Discussion Question What do you feel that you deserve in your life? What do you feel that you merit? Why?