Understanding Justice: Definition, Types, and Meaning
JUSTICE
Justice is the ultimate value of law and is considered one of its traditional ends. Remember that “law” comes from the Latin *directum* (straight, right), but the concept of justice has been a problem for lawyers and philosophers since ancient times. Among the different concepts identified for the term “justice”:
- Confucius pointed out that justice is giving each individual what is due, with no disadvantage to one or the other.
- For Aristotle, Justice is a moral virtue.
- For Justinian and Ulpian,
Understanding Opinion, Belief, and Knowledge
Opinion and Belief
An opinion is a subjective assessment, often a personal evaluation of reality based on our interests, beliefs, and desires, but not based on compelling reasons.
Beliefs may be of two types:
- Dubious: When we are not really sure of the truth and have doubts about compliance.
- Assertive: We speak of belief when we are sure of something but do not have enough evidence to prove it.
Knowledge is a belief that we are safe and we can prove. Rationally justifying something is characteristic
Read MoreKarl Marx: Key Concepts and Theories
Karl Marx: A Summary of Key Ideas
1. Political Economy and Historical Materialism
Marx argued that the anatomy of civil society is found in political economy. Through the lens of historical materialism, he explained that the economic infrastructure is the key to understanding a given society and the changes it experiences throughout history. A society’s economic infrastructure (the functioning of its economy) shapes its superstructure, which includes legal, political, and ideological elements (laws,
Read MoreJohn Stuart Mill: Freedom, Happiness, and Utilitarianism
Human Freedom and the Common Good
Mill argues for the common good as a moral criterion, asserting that it contributes to individual happiness. However, individual good sometimes conflicts with the common good. In a society, it’s necessary to establish regulations on individual conduct.
Mill explains that when internal direction isn’t enough to control its members’ conduct, society resorts to public opinion and the force of law. A group can only limit an individual’s freedom to protect others from
Read MoreUnderstanding Action, Responsibility, and Freedom: A Philosophical Analysis
Action, Responsibility, and Freedom
Action Definition
Colloquially: Any type of act or event.
In philosophy: Voluntary and conscious operations undertaken by an individual or subject.
Home of the Specific:
- Animal behavior: Often limited to running a genetic program. While some animals learn, many actions are automatic.
- Behavior of a computer: Determined by a program. Operations are automatic, not of free choice.
- Human behavior: While children are instinctive, humans possess the ability to choose between
Metaphysics: Definition, Types, and Parmenides
Metaphysics: Definition
Metaphysics is the study of being, encompassing all of reality. It seeks to answer questions about the origin of everything, what exists, and the ultimate end of nature.
The term “metaphysics” was coined by Andronicus of Rhodes in the first century BC. While organizing Aristotle’s works, he grouped certain topics in books placed *after physics* (meta ta physika).
The definition of metaphysics as something spiritual, beyond the physical, was institutionalized in medieval times,
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