♠Aristotle´s “Nicomachean Ethics” and “Politics”:
“On The Concept of Justice”:
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In Book V of “Nichomachean Ethics”, Aristotle attempted to apply his theory of the mean to define justice.
In this sense, he dissects justice into its smallest components, causing him to postulate three kinds, from two main types.
There are two distinct forms of justice: Universal and Particular.
1) Universal Justice is concerned with obeying laws and with virtue as a whole. (Type: c) Equitable Justice).
2) Particular Justice is seen as one of the virtues and is divided into two types (Types a) Distributive Justice and b) Corrective or Rectificatory Justice)
a) Distributive Justice, which involves distributing honors, money and other assets; and b) Corrective or Rectificatory Justice; which includes: voluntary transactions involving paying debts, buying and selling, and so on; and involuntary transactions involving the giving of just restitution of harms inflicted.
→The Distributive justice reflects our understanding of justice as the mean between two extremes of unfairness. Everyone agrees that justice involves the distribution of things in proportion to merit. The man who acts unjustly gets too much, the victim too little, of what is good. Therefore that which is unjust in the narrow sense defies the proper “geometrical” proportion.
→As for Corrective or Rectificatory Justice, this shows our belief that in any exchange the just is what is fair. Unlike distributive justice, it involves not “geometrical,” but “arithmetical” proportionality, because it doesn’t take into account the parties involved, just the transaction itself. Both parties are treated as equals before the law in the exchange of goods, regardless of their individual merits. The role of the judge, therefore, is to restore the mean between too much and too little: to remedy an inequitable division between two parties by means of some sort o f arithmetical progression. He tries to equalize the inequality of the injustice.
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The Doctrine Of The Mean is related to justice as a mean between two extremes, (vices), deficiency, and excess, or gain and loss. It is important to stress here that Aristotle intends to define justice as a determinable mean between excesses which he presumes are vices.
Justice is the intermediate position between doing injustice and suffering it; one has more, the other less, than their share. It is that state of virtue in which the individual is capable of doing just acts from choice and of distributing property, not in a way which gives himself more than his neighbour, but to each in proportionately equal manner. Injustice is choosing excess or deficiency in defiance of proportion.
c) Equitable Justice is that kind of Universal Justice that Aristotle postulated as being a form of justice superior to legal justice. Realizing that the “generality” of the law sometimes gave rise to injustices, Aristotle postulated equity, which was to function, though the judge, as a “correction of the law where it is defective owing to its universality”. While all laws are stated universally, in some cases such a universal statement is not correct. The law thus states most is mostly right, and in cases where the statement does not apply correctly it is just for the legislator or the judge to correct for the deficiency of the law, as long as what is done is in accordance with the intention of the lawmaker, even if it conflicts with the exact statement.
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►Comparative Graphic: Distributive Justice and Rectificatory or Corrective Justice (Types of Particular Justice):
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Aristotle also developed the idea of Justice in the Book III (chapter 12) of “Politics”.
There he helds that “The political good is justice, and this is the common advantage”. Justice is considered to be a certain sort of equality, but what remains to be determined is what sort of equality and equality in what things. Persons preeminent in some things may not be preeminent in others, and some things are more of claim to honor and merit than others.
Aristotle says “The virtue of justice is a feature of a state; for justice is the arrangement of the political association, an a sense of justice decides what is just”.
For him, Justice means giving equal measures to equals and unequal measures to unequals. Aristotle realizes that people are bad judges concerning themselves and that as in oligarchy and democracy they tend to confuse a part of justice with the whole of justice. Justice must be central concern for every city, because the city exists “not only for the sake of living but primarily for the sake of living well.” As a result, “virtue must be a care for every city,” and a city can only foster virtue to the extent that it is just.
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►Video: “On Aristotle´s Idea of Justice and The Theory of Golden Mean”:
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►”Nicomachean Ethics” by Aristotle:
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►”Politics” by Aristotle:
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♠Links Post:
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzepglv8/file22b.html
http://www.novelguide.com/aristotles-ethics/summaries/book5
http://www.gradesaver.com/aristotles-ethics/study-guide/section5/
http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~cp28/justice.htm
http://www.gradesaver.com/aristotles-politics/study-guide/section3/
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Aristotle was a great philosopher…justice is all that…and so many times the simple belief of what some people concieved to be ”justice”….but which is not for the other one! Have a great Friday my Princess, big hugs…Delvi.
Dear Delvi…
How are you.. Many thanks for dropping by. Yes, I agree with you… Nowadays; Justice is not an universal and abstract idea, on the contrary it has to be with what each one of us thinks it is just or not…
Best wishes & hugs Aquileana 😉
And so… justice gets analyzed by our very own brilliant AP! You are an extraordinary woman for having such an ability to write about concepts on philosophy, law and more. I admire it! Another superb read.
I clicked links and found books, and see there is a video to explore (perhaps tomorrow) as well. Wow. I will absolutely return to look more at this. By the way, I didn’t realize that book resource is there. Very well done to show me this and more – thank-you for the post, friendship and kindness!
Christy / CB in BC
Hello Christy…
Thanks for your kind words. It is great to share thoughts on literature and Philosophy with you, as per usual..
Good to know that you enjoyed the post and found interesting information on this topic. Thanks for be supportive 😉
Many hugs to you, Aquileana 😮
Thanks @christybis for sharing this post at twitter, Aquileana 😉
Thanks @adriennewarren5 for sharing this post at twitter, Aquileana 😉
Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely enjoy your post. It is a complex subject but I got an overall idea though. I’ll probably be back again to see more!
Thanks for dropping by.. I am glad that you got a general idea on this topic…
Cheers, Aquileana 😉
That last quote is a very applicable one for today’s society. Great post !
Well pointed!!. It is a very wise and meaningful quote, worth considering to understand our actual society and legal systems. Best!; Aquileana 😉
Aquileana: muy interesante este post sobre Aristóteles y la noción de Justicia…
Sólo reflexionando, creo que es claro que la Justicia Correctiva es “más justa” que la Distributiva, en el sentido de que las partes son tratadas como iguales y por lo tanto la transacción es “aritmética”. La noción de ciudadanía implica esto, desde el punto de vista de los derechos políticos. Es un concepto avanzado para una sociedad altamente aristocrática; como era la de la Antigua Grecia y en particular, la ateniense.Seguramente Platón sería más partidario de la Justicia Distributiva, por el contrario.
Santiago… Es una lectura muy acertada, aunque difiero en el sentido de que haya un tipo de Justicia que prevalezca sobre otro. La justicia retributiva por ejemplo es propia del Derecho Penal o sea; la pena se relaciona con el delito o la violación de la norma, en tanto que la Justicia Correctiva tendría que ver el Ius Gens, derechos o costumbres que guían la vida Pública. Si bien no existían en la Antigua Grecia ramas del Derecho (Público o Privado) la sanción de delitos sí existía y estima que estaría “mensurada” (” A x delito > y sanción”).
De todos modos entiendo tus puntos, sólo agrego esta disgresión.
Muchos saludos, Aquileana 🙂
si alguien tuvo el don de la clarividencia para distinguir fue Aristóteles. Madre mía, qué cabeza.
Gracias por compartir.
Gracias Chestesoc… Sí; clarividencia acompañada de sapiencia… Un gran saludo,
Aquileana 😉
Very interesting post. I particularly enjoyed the last quote, it is true so, do we plead for justice only because we are weak?
Hello Stefy… Yes I agree with you…
It is quote that can be easily related to our times… As you have said we plead for (Retributive) Justice as we are weak… Worth noting Justice can´t solve transcendent issues as it is mainly focussed on particular cases.. Thus it is an instrument of equalization, but not infallible…
Best wishes, Aquileana 😉
Thanks @SylvesterPoetry for sharing this post at twitter, Aquileana 😛
I really got to start reading some of Aristotle’s works
Whenever you want Leah.. I hope you are doing great… Best wishes to you & Kirby, Aquileana 😉
Excellent post Aquileana.
The second quote left me thinking about it.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Kisses and have a nice weekend. 🙂
Thanks for readinga nd commenting…
As regard to the second quote: good choice, my friend… Aristotle was right: Without Justice and Law men just woudn´t be able to live in society..
I wish you a great weekend too, best! Aquileana 😉
Thanks @rotzemardini for sharing this post at twitter, Aquileana 😛
I am surprised with the analysis on Justice you made to make this particular submit great. Magnificent analysis!.
Thank you very much for your comment. Cheers!. Aquileana 😉
nice exposition, this is very telling “the weaker are always anxious for Justice and equality. The stronger pay no heed to either” and for me the weakness of his ethics. In my experience the strong are anxious for fairness.
Your point is absolutely valid… ” In my experience the strong are anxious for fairness”. I agree with you, particularly if we are talking about the civil and penal law, maybe it is not the case if we are making reference to laboral law, though…
Thanks for your comment, it is truly appreciated, Carl.
Best wishes, Aquileana 😛
Thanks @Maxima003 for sharing this post at twitter, Aquileana 😛
https://twitter.com/Maxima003/status/448059730393460736
Thanks @LosSentidosVida for sharing this post at twitter, Aquileana 😉
https://twitter.com/LosSentidosVida/status/448016834676015104
Thanks @JosepGarcife for sharing this post at twitter,
Aquileana 😉
Muy buen artículo. Yo creo que la justicia es como la ley del Talión: severa y dura.
Gracias por el comentario. Bueno, estrictamente hablando la Justicia retributiva calcula la pena en función de la infracción (como en el Derecho Penal). El tipo de sanción ha variado, hoy no se aplica la Ley del Talión, como sí antiguamente. Pero, sin embargo, existe la pena de muerte. Así que, en alguna medida, tenés razón.
Aquileana 😮
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I will appreciate if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Thanks for dropping by and commenting …I much appreciated it , cheers, Aquileana 😛
The concept of justice is riven with subjective elements.
I’ve heard many a wise mind spew theories and arguments and every time, I walk away unconvinced.
It’s easier to grasp a word written on water than to grasp a universally accepted concept of justice, I reckon.
Peace,
Eric
Hello Eric!
I agree with you. The concept of Justice is “relative” riven with subjective element, such as cultural and political constraints, legal system, and historical moment.
Aristotle´s concept of Justice was minly practical though unlike Plato´s ideal notion of Justice…
Thank you very much for commenting.
Best wishes, Aquileana 🙂
This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog, especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your posts, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! Keep up the excellent work.
Good to know that you have found topics of your interested over here… Thank you for the comment.
Cheers, Aquileana 😉
Thanks @JeriWB for sharing this post at twitter, Aquileana 🙂
https://twitter.com/JeriWB/status/448312408772464640
Conociendo -que sí, aunque sin conocimientos hondos- esos libros y tantos algunos de la base del pensamiento filosófico y político occidental, admiro el pensamiento analítico y razonado de los autores geniales -Aristóteles hoy-, su intento sistematático encadenado por iluminar mundo. Estas definiciones, ideas y divisiones se mantienen en cuenta, como en gran parte su principio geométrico del encuentro medio virtuoso. Me gusta.
Ya hizo bastante el filósofo que comentas. Acerca de la justicia nos dejó fecundas aportaciones en todo aspecto (personal o de entidades y relaciones humanas): ahí quedan tus citas señaladas respecto a la información de la justicia sobre política y la ética de las actuaciones universales o particulares; ahí, el relieve justo de la balsámica equidad… Vemos como asienta que la justicia es el ejemplar e ineludible soporte de las completas relaciones humanas en todo grado. Se categoriza aquello que es, por extremo, acto o relación injusta. Muy interesante ese recuerdo para iluminar el foco entre injusticia y reparación del sufrimiento y daño, que debe ser proporcionalidad atenuada. LLamativo eso de “el injusto hace demasiado y la víctima en exceso poco”…
Me ha gustado sobremanera ver escrita la justicia sin mayúscula capital: es que no puedo evitar el temor intelectual y práctico cuando a la justicia la veo con mayúscula siquiera sea en su inicial: le alerta como sirena berreando el alerta de un peligro, mal me recuerda el modo sistemático con que el hombre la traiciona y saquea alevosamente.
Una feliz entrada, buena como de costumbre. Muchas gracias. Ayer el comentario se me volatilizó; hoy lo intento: es lo menos que mereces.
Aquileana, estupenda mujer estudiosa, un amigo abrazo. Al
Querido Al..
Gracias por tu docto análisis. Un comentario excelente que de alguna manera sintetiza los puntos principales del post, agudizando la lectura con una perspectiva crítica, que, por ser por sumamente inteligente, se torna verdaderamente amplificadora.
La cuestión de la Equidad es de suma importancia, porque desde la postura aristotélica es homologada con un tipo de Justicia Universal… (nota: Justicia con mayúscula e este caso porque es un Ideal, casi en el sentido que le daría Platón)…
Es cierto lo que señalabas en justa razón. “Que la justicia es el ejemplar e ineludible soporte de las completas relaciones humanas en todo grado”.
De hecho la Justicia es un tipo de virtud, que como tal se define como justo medio entre dos vicios ( prodigalidad de justicia, inexistencia de justicia).
En cuanto al tipo de reparación ( violación de la norma /sufrimiento/delito/daño) y la pena aplicable… Es claro que dependerá del tipo de sistema legal en que se aplique. También lo es que si bien no existía una delimitación específica de ramas del Derecho en la Antigua Grecia, sí existían grados/escalas de la sanción en función del acto injusto- ilícito cometido.
Destaco también la frase que subrayabas en tu comentario porque me parece absolutamente aplicable a nuestra época: “El injusto hace demasiado y la víctima en exceso poco”…
Un gusto enorme compartir con vos reflexiones e interpretaciones. Muchísimas gracias.
Un fuerte abrazo, Aquileana 🙂
Yo, Amalia, entiendo que te asiste la competencia y, con un tipo especial de virtud general, la alta generosidad y todo comedimiento personal con todos y conmigo sin duda. Eres como un referente.
No encuentro problema en aceptar, para lo preciso, alguna distinción formal: esa Justicia Universal por caso. Ninguno en el resto de tus palabras formales o de respuesta. Nuestros matices parece que los entendemos, lo que dice mucho y bueno. Siempre habrá asuntos que yo entienda más o menos, puede que nada: al fin… soy especialista en nada, ¡qué te voy a decir!
Algo sí: que tu manera de ser es exquisita y por ello engancha. Lo agradezco muchísimo.
Muy en tu personalidad y palabras, te mando los saludos y abrazos que mereces, los que escatimar no quiero, ni puedo, ni debo.
Un gran día, feliz otoño… 🙂 Al
Querido Al…
Sos de una agudeza artística e intelectual inédita, pocas veces vista…
Creo que sí sos un “especialista”, a menos que por este término entendamos un “técnico” en un campo parcial del conocimiento…
Los matices resaltan las diferencias; pero a la vez (y por ende) equiparan las afinidades. ¿No te parece?.
Soy yo la agradecida de tenerte como amigo virtual. un abrazo y que tengas un excelente día.
Aquileana 😛
Hi Aquileana!! Bonjour!!
Everytime I see a new pic repinned by you on Pinterest, I want to visit your blog and leave you a comment to say hi.. but honestly I’m the worst. lol When I remember it’s always time to go to bed or whatever… c’est la vie. Too many things to do I guess. Anyway I hope you’re doing great! 🙂
Love this article… and anything related to Ancient Greece!!!
Cha ma chérie…
Merci beaucoup; Cha!… I am really glad to read your comment, good to know that you found this post interesting…
I hope you are well too and will soon check out your blog as I am also behind there.
As you have well saaid: C´est la vie… mais tant pis, je te visiterai à tout à l´heure…
Hugs, Aquileana 😛
I do believe Aristotle had it right, humans are noble but when they ignore the laws and justice, they are at their worst.
Hello Luciana,
You have highlighted a good point here. I agree with you, agreeing with Aristotle.
Best wishes and thanks for your comment, Aquileana 😛
Thanks @ClucianaLuciana for sharing this post at twitter, Aquileana 😉
My pleasure. Very much enjoying reading your posts 😀
Luciana
Me fascinas, Amalia, con estas entradas tuyas tan fascinantes y preparadas.
Enhorabuena por esa capacidad, para acercarnos temas que, pueden ser áridos y tus los haces fáciles.
Un abrazo grande…
Muchísimas gracias María por tus buenas palabras. A la brevedad pasaré por tu blog para leer las actualizaciones.
Un abrazo, Aquileana 🙂
Thanks @linneatanner for sharing this post at twitter twice, Aquileana 😛
Justice in politics is always a debatable question, hence I like the quote: The weak are anxious for justice and the strong pay no heed. Thanks for sharing your brilliance dear Acqui. xo
You were right when you pointed out that the link between Justice “and” (or “in”) politics is relative (“debatable” as you have said).
But at the end I do believe there is a universal sense of Justice which may apply no matter which is the political regime and the legal system… I might sound too idealistic but I like to see it that way.
As to the quote you have chosen I think it proves that Aristotle´s philosophical contributions are still in force..
Best wishes dear DG .
Thanks for dropping by and commenting,
Aquileana 🙂
Thanks @pokercubster for sharing this post at Twitter, Aquileana 😛
Thanks +D.G.Kaye for sharing this post at Google Plus, Aquileana 😉
https://twitter.com/aquileana/status/449000062744408064
Like everyone else, that last quote was quite interesting to me. It is telling that after studying justice so carefully, Aristotle was candid enough to report the reality! Sometimes I read the great philosophers and think life must have been so much grander at the time they were writing, since obviously the thinking was much grander, but this is a wakeup call to understand that Aristotle’s day to day relationship with justice may have been just as problematic as yours or mine, today! Isn’t that amazing?
Hello Aisha…
I liked the way you have placed Aristotle´s concept of justice among his particular circumstances, defined by his society and mainly by his time…
That quote has been highlighted by many commenters here. I think that is due to its actual force and state of being in force.
Thank you very much for dropping by and commenting. Best regards, Aquileana 😛
Thanks @AishasOasis for sharing this post at Twitter, Aquileana 😉
♥♥♥ 😉
[…] recent post Aristotle’s ‘Nicomachean Ethics’ and ‘Politics’: ‘On the Concept…‘ birthed the […]
Thanks a lot for the pingback… It is wonderful to be there at your site.. And your acrostic- poem is magnificient; Eric,
Best regards, Aquileana 😛
Thanks @linneatanner for sharing this post at twitter, while announcing the “discussion”, Aquileana 🙂
Justice, always tainted with individual perception…a great piece and thanks to Eric Alagan I have found your blog. 🙂
Hello Jane… Yes, you are right…
Justice is an abstract concept which universality reach may be distorted by subjective values and perceptions.
Thanks for dropping by, best regards, Aquileana 😛
I came here through Eric’s post and have to admit that I am woefully out of my depth. I kept looking for a definition of justice which relates to human rights rather than goods. I expect that this is in there somewhere but also imagine that Aristotle was living in a society in which not all people were considered equal with one class (his) endowed with more ‘rights’ than another class (their slaves and servants). I shall be back for more instruction and thank you for this insight. Cheerio, Jane
Hello Jane;
It is certainly hard to define “Justice”… As you have well pointed Aristotle´s society and his particular political and social surroundings narrowed his definition. Anyway, I think he tried to overcome relativism tending to reach a more general definition of Justice..
I will be soon posting a post on Plato´s concept of Justice… Maybe we will be able to define Justice as more elements will be added…
Best regards and thanks for your comment. I much appreciated it.
Aquileana 😉
Thanks @maxima003 for sharing this post at twitter, Aquileana 🙂
https://twitter.com/Maxima003/status/450990903927119872
Hello Aquileana!
You have a beautiful name. I saw your blog the other day, actually Eric’s acrostic poem IDEAS lead me here. But I didn’t have the time to read your posts then, nevertheless, from the glimpse of your blog, I got an idea that you write about Philosophy and about Philosophers, and I became interested to know more, that’s how I am following you. Philosophy is such a subject that has always interested me.
I think this is a wonderful quote: “At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice he is the worst.”
Wish you the best
Ramu Das
Ranu Das…
I am really grateful for your kind words and for knowing that you find these topics interesting.
Good that Eric´s poem brought you here as I enjoy his blog too!.
As to your blog, it is a real good one to follow and I have already been there.
I am following you too and I will be back over there very soon to check out your updates!.
The quote you have highlighted is certainly meaningful and revealing. Good choice
Thanks for dropping by, best regards, Aquileana 😛
Came here via Eric’s blog and curiosity. Justice varies so greatly depending on the culture and the religion of the person. Those of us who originate in any Western culture generally experience great difficulty with views of justice in other areas of the world. Would be interested in views as to how to create a concept that would work worldwide or whether some think such already exists.
Hello there Juliana…
Thanks for stopping by !… As to your comment I agree with you when you say that the concept of Justice varies greatly depending on the culture and other variables..
Your idea regarding creating a idea of Justice that would work worldwide is really good… Maybe our global societies are subtly moving forward in that sense, even when we may not notice it…
Best regards, Aquileana 🙂
Mind blowing for a Monday morning here in Sydney, but really good.
Thanks so much, dear Lisa… Your words are much appreciated … have a great week ahead. Aquileana ⭐
[…] no doubts that women were intellectually incapable of making important decisions for themselves. In “Politics” (1254b13–14), he states that: “As regards the sexes, the male is by nature superior and the […]
Well done!
“While all laws are stated universally, in some cases such a universal statement is not correct. The law thus states most is mostly right, and in cases where the statement does not apply correctly it is just for the legislator or the judge to correct for the deficiency of the law, as long as what is done is in accordance with the intention of the lawmaker, even if it conflicts with the exact statement.”
Could you provide a specific example to the above statement? One need not explain or go into detail but simply provide a particular example to help clarify the situation.
To demonstrate it may be legal to physically strike a burglar who is robbing your home during the night. But as you can imagine there are all sorts circumstances by which this would be wrong. For instance the robber could be 6 years of age. So even though the lawful condition did not include such particulars, the home owner, and in this case the assailant, could be charged even though s/he had legal grounds for striking the robber.
Thanks so much dear Jason!… Let me see… The laws must be read as a whole … in the case you cited, there is a mitigating and exonerating … age. In this case, one law is compounded by another.
The case of a repealed law possibly responds (with derogation) to the just intention of the law, according to temporary, and possibly social, variables.
An example: in the Argentine national constitution, prior to the constitutional reform, the President of the Nation was required to be Catholic. Then this requirement was modified in favor of religious freedom.
Many times the laws are obsolete. The mentioned requirement would collide, in addition to the organic set of other articles of the Constitution, even at the previous moment of the Reformation. Article 14 of the Constitution (of 1853) refers specifically to Religious freedom.
Here you have a vey brief remark on this issue. https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/essays/religion-in-the-argentine-constitution
((I provided a dogmatic example, but that what I first thought would be graphic, so as to speak!). Love & best wishes 🙂
Impressive! You are ‘a true scholar and learned doctor of law.’ – Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice
Thanks so much my friend, glad you enjoyed the comment. xx 🙂