HUM039-

ETHICS
 JUSTICE AND
FAIRNESS PROMOTING THE
COMMON GOOD

Copyright: Slide design and

mdnazario2019 presentation: SIR E!
TOPICS TO BE COVERED
A. TAXATION
B. JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS
C. EGALITARIANISM
D. CAPITALISM
E. SOCIALISM
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Understand and appreciate justice and

fairness;
2. Understand and appreciate distributive
justice;
3. Analyze the different types of distributive
justice; and
TAXATION
The discussion on taxation
usually involves the concepts of
justice and fairness. What is fair
and what is just? How much
responsibility does one have for
other people? Is it fair to give
your hard‐earned money to
somebody who is slacking off? Is
JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS

Fairness is defined as the

morally correct distribution
of resources (social,
economic, political) between
people.

What is the fairest and most just method of distributing goods?

JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS
John Rawls two principles of justice:
1. Each person is to have an equal right to
the most extensive basic liberty
compatible with a similar liberty for
others.
2. Social and economic inequalities are to
be arranged so that they are both:
a. Reasonably expected to be to
everyone’s advantage, and
b. Attached to positions and offices open to
all.
JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS
Distributive justice is sought
to be the main moral guide of
political institutions in their
dealings with the distribution
of benefits and burdens
among its people.

What is the fairest and most just method of distributing goods?

EGALITARIANISM
 EGALITARIANISM
To whom should equality apply?
 Human Beings. The concept of equality
should be applied to all beings who are
capable of understanding such abstract
concept and who have the characteristic of
personhood.
 Human Beings and Animals. To a certain
extent where rights are provided to the
animals for their protection and survival.
 All Sentient Beings. Equality is provided as
to rights to prevent the abolition of all
CAPITALISM
Grounded on the Liberal Ideal, it
values individual freedom over that
of the state and defends the right of
its citizens to choose and do what
they want subject to a minimum
level of intervention from the state.
Under this system, the individual is
left to determine what is the good
life for him or her.
CAPITALISM
Under capitalism, the individuals are
given free‐reign on how to deal and
distribute their resources.
Distributive justice here will be
majorly in the decision and the
hands of the individuals. Henceforth,
it could result in inequality since
individual’s efforts will not have the
same results.
SOCIALISM
“From each according
to his ability, to each
according to his
needs.”
-Marx, Karl 1875

The idea is for everybody to be given the chance to develop their potentials
(talents, skills) and they are expected to use these talents and skills for the
benefit of the society. Nobody will be left alone because the society or the state
is expected to distribute these fair chances and opportunities to every
SOCIALISM
there is a conscious shift from
capitalism to socialism which will now
emphasize the role of the community
where the common good is prioritized.
Here, most of the resources will be in
the hands of the public than the private
entity with the purpose of the
government allocating these resources
into an equal sharing of goods and
opportunities according to needs and
abilities.
 JUSTICE AND
FAIRNESS PROMOTING THE
COMMON GOOD

Copyright: Slide design and

mdnazario2019 presentation: SIR E!
And I Thank You!