JUSTICE OR
FAIRNESS
APPROACH
Presented by Brad, Nina, and Tonya
Intro to Ethics T/1:30
Fairness or Justice Approach states:
“ Treat all people equally, or if unequally,
than fairly based on some standard that is
defensible.”


Fairness requires consistency in the way
people are treated.
Focuses on how fairly or unfairly our
actions distribute benefits and burdens
among the members of a group.
The fairness or justice approach
to ethics has its roots in the
teachings of the ancient Greek
philosopher Aristotle

Aristotle stated,
“Equals should be
treated equally,
and unequals
unequally.”
John Rawls



Political philosopher
of the 20th Century
Wrote many
influential articles in
the 50’s and 60’s
“We are both rational
and reasonable”
“A Theory of Justice”
by John Rawls
Rawls makes clear that
the guaranteed
freedom of each and
every individual is
essential to the
establishment of a
just society.


Rawls believed the principles of justice
apply to the "basic structure" of
fundamental social institutions (courts,
markets, the constitution, etc)
Rawls imagined people in the state of
nature, that is, before a society is formed
Criticism
Who has the right to say what is justified or
fair?
Martha C. Nussbaum author of “Frontiers
of Justice,” criticizes Rawls theory because
he does not cater to the needs of disabled
people

She also said that, “Rawls confines himself
to articulating principles of justice to
domestic society”.
Application
to
Health Care
Adding Justice to the Debate


Tends to focus on the uninsured rather
than healthcare itself
The continuing increase in cost of
healthcare to the increasing uninsured


Must attend to the basic medical needs to
all no matter of insurance
Must accommodate the unemployed as
well as the employed
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1.
2.
3.
Does this theory protect the moral rights
of all individuals?
Are we a just and fair society?
Is justice a cause or consequence of
social motives?