Posted: May 23rd, 2023

Origins of Social Justice and its Historical Applications

In this lecture, we explore the origins of social justice and its historical applications. Social justice is a widely used concept that has its roots in philosophical discourse but is often used without a clear definition. By synthesizing various philosophical treatments, we can offer a general definition of social justice. It involves the distribution of benefits and burdens in society according to some allocation principles, the preservation of basic rights and liberties through decision-making processes, and the treatment of individuals with dignity and respect.

The challenging aspect of social justice is the considerable disagreement that persists regarding its elements. Questions arise about fair principles for distributing benefits and burdens, reasonable sets of rights and entitlements, and the meaning of treating others with dignity and respect. These questions have been addressed by prominent thinkers throughout history, including Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Rawls.

To develop principles of social justice, three assumptions must be considered. First, there must be a demarcated society with a given membership where individuals can be defined in relation to others. Second, there must be an identifiable institutional structure to which principles of justice can be applied and modified. Finally, there must be an agency capable of initiating and directing institutional changes to achieve social justice.

The historical development of social justice dates back at least two millennia. Philosophers such as Aristotle and Plato wrote about distributive justice, focusing on the allocation of resources and rectifying injuries. However, the modern ideal of social justice took shape in the late 18th century, coinciding with a change in attitudes towards poverty and the recognition of novel social and economic behaviors.

The upsurge of social justice as a central topic in political discourse did not occur until the 20th century. The dominance of Marxist, Utilitarian, and Positivist theories posed barriers to developing a political discourse based on justice. Marxism dismissed moral language about equity, while Utilitarianism subordinated individual rights to the maximization of utility. However, the concepts of justice presented by these theories played a role in developing the vision of social justice.

The philosophical foundations of capitalism and its alternatives contribute to understanding the relationship between government and the market. Capitalism, based on private ownership and trade, has been a dominant economic system. Philosophical perspectives such as libertarianism and liberalism provide different viewpoints on the role of the government in relation to the market.

Social work plays a vital role in advocating for social justice. Social workers aim to change existing or proposed policies or practices on behalf of vulnerable groups. They use persuasion, employing logos (reason based on content and logic), pathos (reason based on passion and emotions), and ethos (reason based on the merits and character of the speaker) to influence decision-makers. Building and maintaining relationships are key strategies used by social workers to advocate for the most disadvantaged.

In conclusion, understanding the origins of social justice and its historical applications is crucial in addressing the complexities of this concept. Despite ongoing disagreements, social justice continues to be a central topic in political and social discourses. Through advocacy and the application of ethical principles, social workers play a vital role in promoting social justice and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.

References
• J. T., & Kay, A. C. (2010). Social justice: History, theory, and research. In S. T. Fiske, D. T.
Gilbert, & G. Lindzey (Eds.), Handbook of Social Psychology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
• Pérez-Garzón, Carlos Andrés (January, 2018). Unveiling the meaning of social justice. Mexican
Law Review, 10(2) 27-66.
• Thompson, N. (2002). Social movements, social justice and social work. The British Journal of
Social Work, 32(6) 711–722

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