Q1: What does it mean to give each person his/her due? How has the meaning of “giving each his due” changed over time?
Ans:
Giving each person his/her due means providing justice by ensuring the well-being of all the people.
In contemporary time, the concept of “giving each his due” has changed to the understanding of what is due to each person as a human being.
The German philosopher Immanuel Kant argued that if all persons are granted dignity then what is due to each of them is the opportunity to develop their talents and pursue their chosen goals.
Q2: Briefly discuss the three principles of justice outlined in the chapter. Explain each with examples.
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Q3 : Does the principle of considering the special needs of people conflict with the principle of equal treatment for all?
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Q4: How does Rawls use the idea of a veil of ignorance to argue that fair and just distribution can be defended on rational grounds?
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Q5: What are generally considered to be the basic minimum requirements of people for living a healthy and productive life? What is the responsibility of governments in trying to ensure this minimum to all?
Ans:
Housing, supply of clean water, basic amount of nourishment to remain healthy, education and minimum wage are the basic minimum requirements of people for living a healthy and productive life.
Government is responsible for providing these services to all sections of the society irrespective of their class, caste, race and gender at a cost they can afford.
Q6: Which of the following arguments could be used to justify state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all citizens?
(a) Providing free services to the poor and needy can be justified as an act of charity.
(b) Providing all citizens with a basic minimum standard of living is one way of ensuring equality of opportunity.
(c) Some people are naturally lazy and we should be kind to them.
(d) Ensuring basic facilities and a minimum standard of living to all is a recognition of our shared humanity and a human right.
Ans:
(a) Providing free services to the poor and needy as an act of charity is unjustified basis of state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all citizens. Services to the poor and needy are their rights and the government should not give these to them as charity.
(b) Providing all citizens with a basic minimum standard of living to ensure equality of opportunity is justified basis of state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all citizens. This is because it is the responsibility of the government to provide opportunities for citizens.
(c) Being kind to people who are lazy is not rational thinking as laziness is not a physical handicap. Therefore, it is an unjustified basis for state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all citizens.
(d) Ensuring basic facilities and a minimum standard of living to all as a recognition of our shared humanity and human rights is a justified basis of state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all citizens.
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1. What is social justice? |
2. How does social justice contribute to a more equitable society? |
3. What are some examples of social justice issues in today's world? |
4. How can individuals contribute to promoting social justice in their communities? |
5. Why is social justice important for a functioning society? |
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