Amartya Sen's "The Idea of Justice"
The question that is asked is this: how can we institute a universal justice on an individual bases, rather than relying on institutions and broad classes of people?
Since human beings have an innate desire to eliminate injustice where possible, Institutions are not that important. Source
How can we have a simple and non-class-based viewpoint of justice, not only what is considered "fair", but also what is ultimately JUST.
He points out that children have strong notions of fairness and acute aversion to manifest injustice. Source
A Thought Experiment: How Would You Answer This Question?
By looking at a single scenario and evaluating three different people, we can make a judgement based on their involvement, their status, or their entitlement.
You are an adult settling a dispute between three children who are arguing over who should have a flute. It is your job to determine justly.
Who should posses the flute?
Read to the end for your chance to earn 1 HIVE!
Should CHILD A Get the Flute?
Child A is a cute red-head who is full of joy. Her smile will fill the room. She insists that she should get the flute, because of her talent at playing the flute - that by her receiving the flute, she will bring the most joy into the world through her playing. If you heard her play, you'd know what I mean, she's surprisingly good at the flute!
"I should get the flute. I'm the only one here who can play it. And after all, the point of the flute is to make music. The other two can't play, so why should they get it?"
Should CHILD B Get the Flute?
Child B is the industrious child. She is always taking apart and building again. She developed a skill in acquiring parts and trained herself to assemble and tweak musical instruments. She has spent years developing these skills and it has earned her money, with which she invests in materials to build more instruments. Her talent isn't playing the flute (she tried once, it was embarrassingly bad), but she has a knack for tuning them to perfection so they sound exquisite when played by a professional. The build of this flute is astounding and she didn't cut corners in quality. She insists that she should get the flute because she made it.
"I made the flute. I provided the materials for it. I spent time and effort making it. It is the fruit of my labour. How could you possibly take this from me and give it to someone else?"
Should CHILD C Get the Flute?
Child C has had a difficult life, his parents are deceased and he's being raised by foster parents who have a very limited income. He is used to low-quality food, toys that have already been worn out. People are quick to donate clothing and necessities, but it's always stuff from the dollar store. When he saw how beautiful the new flute was, he instantly desired it. He wasn't used to nice things - if only he could possess it, he would treasure it always. He insists he should get the flute because he would appreciate it more than the either of the other two children who can afford to buy their own flutes.
"Of the three of us, I am the poorest. I have nothing in this world. Even though I don't play the flute and I didn't make it, you should give me the flute. Because then, you would have improved my lot in life immeasurably."
Of These Three Children, Who Should Get the Flute?
All three children have made their case as to why they should have the flute.
He points out that children have strong notions of fairness and acute aversion to manifest injustice.
They have all made their case as to why it would be "fair" for them to have the flute, but of the three children, only one can own it JUSTLY.
In your opinion, which child should get the flute?
- Child A
- Child B
- Child C
Let me know in the comments below and be sure to explain why you chose that child.
I will give a 1 HIVE bounty each for the top FIVE answers in the comments. Bounties will be distributed in 7 days when the post pays out.
Select a child (A, B or C) and give a well thought out reasoning behind the answer. The bounty is not based on selecting the "right" child, but for making a strong case for why you selected that particular child.
I look forward to reading your comments! :-)
Bless the Most High!
Teach Your Children Liberty from Sin
We encourage parents to teach their children principles of Godliness, beginning with the Word and an understanding who God is and what His Son has done to form a relationship with us.
No one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. 1 Corinthians 3:11-13
Teach Your children Liberty from Tyranny
Second to this is the principle of self-determination and freedom, lest we loose the ability to teach our children the first principle in future generations. Our children read the Tuttle Twin books, specifically to learn libertarian principles, which most people learn later in life. These books are useful for our family, and yours, to teach children concepts that seem complicated, but are made simple in these books.
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"SMART PEOPLE today are figuring out how to trade without the creature being able to control them - using things like gold and silver products, garden co-ops, online bartering and digital currencies such as Bitcoin."
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