Justice

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This question of distributive justice is at issue in current debates about income inequality, the proper level of taxation, access to health care, the financing of education, affirmative action, gender inequality, religious liberty etc. Most of us agree that justice is an important, if not the most important, standard for political and social life. But we disagree about the criteria for distributing benefits and burdens in society justly. In this class, we will examine contemporary conceptions of justice that propose answers to this question: Utilitarianism, Liberal Egalitarianism, Libertarianism, Marxism, and Communitarianism. We will consider the connection between justice and other political ideals such as fairness, equality, liberty, wellbeing, inclusion, and recognition. We will have a look at feminist critique of classical conceptions of justice, and consider whether justice is best thought of in terms of distribution at all. The readings will include texts by John Rawls, Robert Nozick, Gerald A. Cohen, Michael Sandel, Susan Okin, and Iris M. Young. We will assess the strengths and weaknesses of these conceptions, and discuss their implications for some of the current political debates mentioned above. Throughout the class, you will be developing the skills to interpret arguments accurately and criticize them cogently. The overall goal of the class is to help you become a thoughtful and critical participant in political and social debates.