justice

Justice refers to the idea of fairness in the treatment of individuals and in the distribution of resources and burdens within a society. It encompasses moral rightness, impartiality, and adherence to laws and norms. In everyday use, justice may refer to personal conduct, legal systems, and social arrangements designed to respect the dignity and rights of all people.

Philosophical discussions of justice distinguish several strands. Deontological theories emphasize rights and duties as the basis for just actions; consequentialist or utilitarian approaches judge justice by outcomes. There are also distinctions among procedural justice, which concerns fair processes, distributive justice, which concerns fair shares, retributive justice, which seeks proportionate punishment, and restorative justice, which focuses on repairing harm and reintegrating offenders into the community.

In law, justice is linked to the rule of law, impartial courts, due process, and equality before the law. Legal systems aim to apply laws fairly while balancing competing interests and protecting fundamental rights. Access to legal remedies, transparency, and accountability are common benchmarks of legal justice.

Social justice extends the idea to collective well-being, aiming to reduce inequality and safeguard human rights through public policy and institutions. Critics note that justice is often contested across cultures and political ideologies, and that power and resources influence what counts as fair, making the realization of justice an ongoing project.

As societies change, definitions and methods of pursuing justice evolve, incorporating new understandings of rights, responsibility, and community, while continuing to address harm, fairness, and opportunity.