Justice as virtue

Definition

Justice as virtue refers to the concept that justice is not only a moral principle governing the behavior of individuals and societies but also a personal quality or virtue that individuals should cultivate. This idea emphasizes that true justice arises from within and is manifested through virtuous actions, promoting fairness, equity, and moral integrity in relationships and governance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Stoic thought, justice as virtue is closely linked to the idea of living in accordance with nature, where each individual plays a role in the broader community.
2. Stoics believed that justice is one of the four cardinal virtues, alongside wisdom, courage, and temperance, and essential for achieving eudaimonia or human flourishing.
3. Justice as virtue suggests that individual morality is interconnected with societal welfare, meaning that a just society arises from just individuals.
4. The Stoics emphasized rationality as key to understanding justice, arguing that through reason, individuals can discern what is just and act accordingly.
5. Justice as virtue promotes the idea of universal brotherhood among all human beings, encouraging actions that transcend local loyalties in favor of global ethical responsibilities.

Review Questions

• How does the Stoic understanding of justice as virtue connect individual morality to societal welfare?
  • The Stoic view posits that individual morality is fundamental to societal welfare, as just individuals contribute to a just society. When people cultivate justice as a personal virtue, they act in ways that promote fairness and equity in their communities. Therefore, justice is not merely an external standard but an internal quality that influences how individuals relate to others and fulfill their roles within society.
• Discuss the implications of justice as virtue for cosmopolitanism in political philosophy.
  • Justice as virtue supports cosmopolitanism by advocating for a sense of global responsibility among individuals. It suggests that when individuals see themselves as part of a larger human community, they are more likely to act justly towards others, regardless of national or cultural boundaries. This interconnectedness emphasizes universal moral principles, where each person's actions contribute to the well-being of humanity as a whole, aligning personal virtues with global ethics.
• Evaluate how the concept of justice as virtue challenges contemporary views on justice based solely on laws or regulations.
  • The concept of justice as virtue challenges contemporary views by asserting that true justice goes beyond merely following laws or regulations. It argues that legal compliance alone does not equate to moral righteousness; rather, individuals must cultivate personal virtues that guide their actions. This perspective encourages deeper reflection on the ethical foundations of laws and promotes an understanding of justice rooted in character development and moral integrity, fostering a more compassionate and equitable society.

Related terms

Virtue Ethics: An ethical theory that emphasizes the role of character and virtue in moral philosophy, focusing on the development of good character traits rather than strict rules or consequences.

Cosmopolitanism: A philosophical perspective that advocates for global citizenship and the idea that all human beings belong to a single community, emphasizing universal moral principles over local or national interests.

Natural Law: A philosophical belief that certain rights and moral values are inherent in human nature and can be understood through reason, often used to justify concepts of justice and ethics.