Violence and Social Justice
Abstract
This article examines the complex relationship between human nature, violence, and social justice through the lens of Western social philosophy. By drawing a parallel with the Chinese concept of Yin and Yang, the author explores whether humans are inherently good or evil and how the social environment catalyzes these traits. The text contrasts Thomas Hobbes’s "Leviathan," which necessitates absolute submission to escape a state of war, with Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s belief in innate goodness corrupted by private property. It further discusses John Locke’s liberal "trust" and the radical perspectives of Marcuse, Bakunin, and Proudhon regarding defensive violence and revolution. Finally, the article analyzes John Rawls’s theory of "justice as fairness" and his concept of non-violent civil disobedience as a primary tool for achieving a stable, just society.
Article Details
- How to Cite
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Charalampous , E. (2020). Violence and Social Justice . Ηθική. Περιοδικό φιλοσοφίας, (1), 46–51. https://doi.org/10.12681/ethiki.22641
- Issue
- No. 1 (2005)
- Section
- Articles
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