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Single Idea 20978

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 1. Basis of justice]

Full Idea

A theory of justice that can serve as the basis of practical reason must include ways of judging how to reduce injustice and advance justice, rather than aiming only at the characterisation of perfectly just societies.

Gist of Idea

Practical justice concerns not only ideals, but ways to achieve them

Source

Amartya Sen (The Idea of Justice [2009], Pref 'What')

A Reaction

Sounds simple, but this is Amartya Sen's revolutionary new idea - that justice is not just ideals and opportunities, but what sort of life people actually end up with.

Book Reference

Sen, Amartya: 'The Idea of Justice' [Penguin 2010], p.-20