Blackwell Reference Online

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This essay surveys some of the most prominent positions, issues, and questions within contemporary discussions of justice. It addresses many key topics, but readers should bear in mind that this review was written explicitly for this volume and thus omits much of importance which will be covered in the other essays in this book, especially those focusing on democracy, equality, feminism, liberalism, and Marxism.One of the most powerful, systematic, and popular theories of justice is utilitarianism, the view that actions, policies, and institutions are to be judged in terms of the extent to which they maximize overall happiness or well-being. Utilitarians come in various shapes and sizes, but virtually all embrace consequentialism, impartiality, and maximization. Utilitarians are consequentialists insofar as they assess actions and policies solely in terms of the consequences they generate. So-called “backward-looking” considerations (such as what people deserve in light of their past behavior) are irrelevant on this view; all that matters is the future effects. Utilitarians are impartialists because the well-being of every person (where “person” sometimes includes not just humans but all sentient beings) matters equally. No special deference is paid to the interests of the agent or her close relations; consequences for everyone are to be counted, and no one's well-being is given ... log in or subscribe to read full text