Spravodlivos

Spravodlivos, in Slovak usage often rendered as spravodlivosť, denotes the state or quality of being just or fair. The term grounds its meaning in moral, legal, and social dimensions and plays a central role in ethics, political theory, and law. Etymologically it derives from the adjective spravodlivý (just, fair) with the abstract noun suffix -osť.

In philosophy, spravodlivosť is analyzed as distributive justice (fair distribution of goods and burdens), corrective justice (restoration after wrongdoing), and procedural justice (fair rules and processes). Various theories seek to specify what counts as fair, including utilitarian calculations of the greater good, egalitarian or Rawlsian approaches emphasizing equal basic liberties and the difference principle, or virtue-based conceptions of justice as a trait of character.

In law, spravodlivosť is linked to the rule of law, due process, equality before the law, and proportionality. Substantive justice concerns outcomes, while procedural justice concerns fair procedures, transparency, and accountability within courts and administrative bodies.

Historically and culturally, the idea of spravodlivosť has shaped European legal traditions and Slovak civic life, drawing on Christian ethics, natural law, and later secular political philosophy. It informs public institutions, constitutional design, and human rights discourse.

In contemporary Slovakia and other contexts, debates over spravodlivosť address issues such as access to justice, anti-corruption, social welfare, taxation, and balancing individual rights with public security, especially in a globalized society with evolving technologies.