The notions of justice and fairness are very difficult to disentangle. It is often assumed that there is no difference between the two ideas and hence that justice and fairness are of equal importance. I shall argue, however, that there are significant differences between justice and fairness. read more
Justice vs. Fairness Our society tends to equate the notion of fairness with that of justice; treating them as though they are interchangeable concepts. While this may be true if their definitions are carefully and clearly asserted, in practice, they most often do not mean the same thing. read more
When people differ over what they believe should be given, or when decisions have to be made about how benefits and burdens should be distributed among a group of people, questions of justice or fairness inevitably arise. read more
Thus, fairness implies mutual agreement among free participants whereas justice does not. Fairness requires more than established rules which must be followed, it requires that self interest is given second place to common interest in a situation that is perceived as acceptable and accepted. read more