According to an American philosopher named Paul Elmer More, a just society is when “justice is ‘the inner state ofsoulundercommand ofwill to righteousnessreason guidesdesires obey’” (Rawls 1972). In other words, More is echoing Plato in the sense that justice has to be for the betterment of the soul by one seeking out what is right whether or not it coincides with their own personal desires. While this ideology is admirable, however, it has yet to be realized in this modern world as many people appear to care more about what they want regardless of the negative consequences their actions and desires could have on others. In his article Cortez makes the observation that even while justice is defined as what is good and fair for society and its people, there are still “mass abuses of human rights” (2014). Thus the statement can be made that while Plato sought a society where everyone was treated fairly and justly, it has yet to be realized and may never come to pass in this modern age.
John Stuart Mill’s defined utilitarianism as not the disregard of pleasure but as “the Greatest Happiness Principleactions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness” (1863). Put more simply, Mills argued that his theory should be utilized to better people’s lives so that they can be happier thus creating a society where its members cared not only about themselves but about each other. While this sounds wonderful, there is a downside to this philosophy for everyone defines happiness differently and may use this noble ambition to further their own gains through the exploitation of others.
Work Cited
Cortez, Wilhelm. "Will We Ever Have a Just Society?" The Good Men Project. The Good Men Project, 29 Mar. 2014. Web. 04 Jan. 2017.
Mill, John Stuart. "Utilitarianism." Utilitarianism. BLTC, 1863. Web. 04 Jan. 2017.
Rawls, John. "Defining the Just Society." The University Bookman. The Russel Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal, 1972. Web. 04 Jan. 2017.
