Aristotle's Theory of Justice Explained

Aristotle, a significant figure in ancient Greek philosophy, explored the concept of justice in depth, particularly in his work 'Nicomachean Ethics'. His theory provides insights into fairness and its vital role in creating a functional and harmonious society, referred to by him as the 'polis'. Let's break down the statements provided about his theory.

Analyzing Statement (a): Radical View & Social Order

This statement suggests that Aristotle's Theory of Justice was 'radical' because it aimed to change the existing social order. While Aristotle was not typically a revolutionary thinker aiming to overturn society completely, his philosophical approach involved a thorough examination and critique of existing political and social structures. By defining justice systematically and proposing how resources, honors, and political power should be distributed, his ideas implicitly challenged the status quo and advocated for a specific, more rational and ethical social arrangement. In this sense, his theory could be interpreted as seeking change within the existing order to achieve a more just state, making this statement relevant.

Analyzing Statement (b): Justice and Human Relations

This statement accurately captures a fundamental aspect of Aristotle's perspective. He viewed justice primarily as a virtue governing interactions between individuals within a community. His theory distinguishes between different types of justice that regulate these relationships:

• Distributive Justice: This form concerns the fair division of societal goods, such as wealth, honors, and political rights, among citizens. It dictates how benefits and burdens are allocated.
• Corrective Justice: This type addresses the rectification of wrongs in transactions between people. It aims to restore equality when someone has gained unfairly at another's expense, covering both voluntary agreements and involuntary actions like theft or injury.

Both forms clearly show that Aristotle's justice is deeply involved in regulating the complex web of human relations in society.

Analyzing Statement (c): Justice as Social Binding

This statement highlights the cohesive function of justice in society. Aristotle believed that justice, along with lawfulness and fairness, is essential for maintaining social order and unity. When individuals believe that justice is upheld – that they are treated fairly and laws are applied equitably – it builds trust and encourages cooperation among citizens. This shared sense of justice acts as a social glue, binding people together and strengthening the community towards the common good, which Aristotle saw as the ultimate goal of the political community.

Analyzing Statement (d): Justice and Helping Common People

This statement claims that justice is not concerned with helping common people. This view is inconsistent with Aristotle's philosophy. Justice, particularly in the context of the 'polis', is fundamentally oriented towards the common good and the well-being of its citizens. Distributive justice, for instance, necessitates fair consideration for all members of the community when allocating resources and honors. While Aristotle had specific views on citizenship, his concept of justice aims to establish a stable and fair society, which intrinsically involves ensuring the fair treatment and consideration of all people within it, including the common populace.

Summary of Correct Statements

Based on the analysis derived from Aristotle's philosophical principles on justice:

Thus, the statements identified as correct according to Aristotle's Theory of Justice are (a), (b), and (c).