What are the tensions that are indentified in those readings?
a) The tensions identified in these readings are
b) Man is never free as he may like to be.
c) There is no absolute justice.
d) The world must have a responsible form of control for its existence.
e) Human beings are segregated into social stratums
What are the values they assume or describe, and how do they inform or conflict with your sense of justice?
The literature presents a very contentious issue of justice in the world. Hardin (124) claims that there can never be a common justice where every human being is given his or her equal share. He likens the earth with a space ship which he claims must have a captain for it to make any milestone. This captain is likened to the world powers who must establish a responsible system of control. Thus, uncontrolled immigration and depletion of natural resources cannot just be permitted on the basis of administering common justice to the people.
In his social contract theory, Rousseau attempts to define what justice could be by distinguishing between natural and civil rights. He says that “Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains (Rousseau 134).” This statement depicts that there is no absolute justice as man would like it to be. Man pays allegiance to an association of a whole whose members hold equal status. By giving up his natural rights to the association of the whole, he becomes a master of all but a slave to none. This therefore compels him to life by the agreed contract of the state. Justice here therefore will be determined by the individual but in collaboration with the society as a whole. A key point to note though is that man is born free and is entitled to some unalienable rights (United States 14).
These assertions in a way inform my sense of justice. I have a better understanding that justice is not always common. It must be controlled in a responsible world for the world to function in a controlled state. If justice is not controlled, then there would be a possibility of man returning to his natural and crude state of nature.
Works cited
Hardin, Garret. “Lifeboat ethics: the case against helping the poor.” Psychology today 23
(1974): 120-130.
Rousseau, Jean Jacques. The social contract or the principles of political right. USA: G.D.H.
Cole, 1762.
United States. Declaration of Independence: The Constitution of the United States; and Extracts
from Washington's, Jefferson's and Jackson's Addresses; And, the Bill of Rights of the
State of Maryland. USA: U.S Government: 1862
