The idea of distributive justice in our reading brings to light the issue of justice. According to John Rawls’ definition justice is “maximizing the good”. As he points out in the reading, this is utilitarian view. The interpretation of the word justice can create undistributive justice because the interpretation does not indicate good for all; it is in terms of the society as a whole.
The Case Study entitled “The Oil Rig”, displays a situation where employees on the bottom rung are not treated as good as the upper level. The idea that an unskilled worker would be forced to amputate a limb in the case of an accident is not justice. This treatment is not in the interest of the greater good. The oil rig’s rules in this situation lead to individuals becoming less productive in society. According to the principles of distributive justice, “each person…has an equal right to the most extensive liberty compatible with a like liberty for all…”. My interpretation of this would be that if everyone was subject to the same rules then distributive justice would exist. The goal, according the Rawls, is for the fortunate to assist the less fortunate to create a better society. In this example, this is not being achieved. The upper level employees are not helping the lower class they are actually hindering them.
Our society is not a perfect example of distributive justice but we do have some aspects in place to create a equality. Taxes are collected to create facilities for everyone and to assist those in need through programs such as welfare.
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1 comment:
Here, here!! I'm in totoal agreement with your statements. How refreshing to read an honest, non-biased and non-judgemental opinion on what I too perceived as a total disenfranchisement of the Angolan people. This is not justice at all, it is a form of the highest injustice and should not be tolerated.
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