Question

Briefly discuss the three principles of justice outlined in the chapter. Explain each with examples.

Answer 1

Equal Treatment of Equals:

• This indicates the principle of treating people equally.

• All individuals share certain characteristics as human beings. Therefore, they deserve to be treated equally and provided with equal rights.

• It includes civil rights like the right to life, liberty and property, political rights like the right to vote, and social rights related to equal social opportunities.

• It also prohibits discrimination on the grounds of class, caste, gender, and race.

• For example, two individuals from different backgrounds should be paid the same reward for the same kind of job.

Proportionate justice:

• This principle indicates rewarding people in proportion to the scale and quality of their effort.

• It is just to reward different jobs differently on the basis of efforts and skills required and the danger involved.

• Thus, proportionality provides balance to the principle of equal treatment.

• The reward and compensation for a surgeon and an architect vary according to the skill that is required in their job.

Recognition of Special Needs:

• This principle is based on distributing rewards and duties on the basis of the special needs of people.

• On the basis of factors such as age, physical disabilities, and lack of access to good education or health care, special treatment is given in many countries.

• People with special needs or disabilities are treated unequally in some particular respect and therefore are provided with some deserving and special help.

• A physically challenged person getting a reserved seat in the bus is an example of the principle of recognition of special needs.