Theories of Justice

• • Utilitarianism
  • Rawls Theory of Justice
  • Dworkin on Equality
  • Nozick's Libertarianism
  • Analytical Marxism
  • Feminism
  • Multiculturalism
  • Global Justice
  • Environmental Justice
  • Animal Justice

Equivalent subjects

You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

• MAQ-PHI320 (Not currently available)
• MAQ-PHIX357-Theories of Justice (No longer available)

You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:

• MAQ-PHIX1032-Happiness, Goodness and Justice

Others

Pre-requisite 130cp at 1000 level or above NCCW (pre-2020 units) PHI320, PHL357, PHIL357, PHIX357 NCCW (2020 and onwards) PHIL3057 Theories of Justice

Additional requirements

• Other requirements -

  Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.

This subject was previously known as PHI320, PHIX357 Theories of Justice.

What is justice? What is fairness? This unit explores these important questions by examining leading philosophical theories of justice, including John Rawls's influential model, as well as the main political approaches that are associated with them, such as liberalism, libertarianism, republicanism, and socialism. We assess the capacity of these theories and approaches to respond to pressing social justice issues. We focus on issues of inequality and diversity in society by asking: what degree of inequality, if any, can be justified? We also examine broader questions around social and retributive justice, such as: How can we justify punishing those who violate justice? What are the obligations of democratic citizenship? Is our society and its political institutions racist, sexist, or unfairly biased against cultural minorities? What do we owe the poor in other countries? And is our treatment of animals and the environment a matter of justice?

• Participation (20%)
• Reflective writing (20%)
• Philosophical essay (40%)
• Quizzes (20%)

Current study term: 23 Jul 23 to 05 Nov 23