Justice: Classical Foundations and Contemporary Debates

by Young Kim

The moral inquiry into the nature of justice is often marginalized, as contemporary discussions focus primarily on political considerations. Yet, the need to examine the moral framework of justice is fundamental. What is the point of justice, after all, if not to establish a moral framework for political interactions? The question resonates especially when recognizing that no monocultures exist over time and space. In examining Plato’s thoughts on individual and social morality (dikaiosune) and Aristotle’s focus on individual virtue (arête) and the pursuit of well-being (eudaimonia), the author proffers foundational resources for today’s discussions of justice. Moreover, he brings this nexus of thought into conversation with theories that have emerged over the centuries, such as Kant’s concept of due concern and respect, individual rights and responsibilities as in Hobbes, Locke and J.S. Mill. Thus, he engages contemporary disputes of justice including distributive vs. relational schemes, choice vs. chance considerations, group rights theories, value pluralism, the right vs. the good, as well as international and future justice. His inquiry concludes with the provision of a deontological framework set against a liberal political context, justice as right actions, for further examination of questions of justice.

222 pages, Hardcover

Published March 24, 2018

About the author

Young Kim was born in Washington, DC, grew up in Virginia, and was educated at Shimer College, Northwestern University School of Law, and The London School of Economics and Political Science.

A practicing lawyer, Mr. Kim’s teaching interests include corporate and securities law, international law, and legal philosophy. He has taught at the University of Colorado School of Law, on appointment as a Fulbright Senior Specialist at the University of Luxembourg, and at Northwestern University School of Law. His research and writing interests cover intersections of law, morality, and politics, including questions of justice. His books in the area include Justice as Right Actions (2015), Justice: Classical Foundations and Contemporary Disputes (2018), and The Question of Law (2024).

In addition, he has published a work literary fiction entitled At the Claremont, and a collection of poetry entitled Echoes of Place.