Markkula Center of Applied Ethics

Ethical Perspectives

Developed by Manuel Velasquez, Claire Andre, Thomas Shanks, S.J., and Michael J. Meyer

The Fairness (or Justice) Perspective

  • Focuses on how fairly or unfairly our actions distribute benefits and burdens among the members of a group.

  • Fairness requires consistency in the way people are treated.

  • Examples of what is offered as morally justifiable reasons for treating people differently: need, merit, effort, fault, etc.

  • The principle states: "Treat people the same unless there are morally relevant differences between them."

For more on this topic, see on our website:

"Justice and Fairness"

Many other scholarly sources on fairness/justice may be found at:

http://ethics.acusd.edu/kant.html

http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/d/duties.htm

http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/p/primafac.htm

http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/o/origposi.htm

Go back to A Framework For Ethical Decision Making.


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The views expressed on this site are the author's. The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics does not advocate particular positions but seeks to encourage dialogue on the ethical dimensions of current issues. The Center welcomes comments and alternative points of view.
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