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Although what constitutes justice may vary depending on culture or historical context, all forms of justice are built on a foundation of moral assumptions that include ideas about ethics, fairness and the law. Philosophers have often debated the nature of both morality and justice and their relationship with each other and in this collection we explore some of the most influential ideas on the topics from Kant to Bentham and investigate problems such as can inequalities be justified, provided they are to the benefit of the worst off?Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Moral philosophy and theories of justice • Plato on law, self-interest, motivation • Utilitarianism (classical vs modern) • Kantian ethics • Rawlsian distributive justice, bias, inequality • Nozick libertarian justice, taxation and forced labourThis podcast explores philosophical approaches to justice and morality, focusing on how ethical assumptions underpin ideas about fairness, rights, and the law. Drawing on major figures in moral and political philosophy, it examines why people obey laws and whether compliance is rooted in moral character or in self-interest and fear of punishment. A recurring concern is the relationship between individual motivation and the legitimacy of social rules.
Across the discussions, the podcast compares different ways of judging right action and just institutions. It considers utilitarian traditions, distinguishing between classical and more modern forms of utilitarianism and how each assesses outcomes, welfare, and moral decision-making. It also engages with Kantian moral philosophy, emphasizing duty-based ethics and the idea that moral principles can be grounded in rational requirements rather than consequences.
The podcast then turns to questions of distributive justice and political legitimacy: when, if ever, are social and economic inequalities justified, and what principles should guide the distribution of benefits and burdens in a society? It presents influential arguments associated with egalitarian contractarian thinking, including the attempt to design fair social arrangements by eliminating bias and arbitrary advantage. In contrast, it also examines libertarian theories of justice that prioritize individual rights and voluntary exchange, raising disputes about the moral status of taxation and the limits of state authority.
Some entries provide transcripts alongside the audio, indicating that the material can be engaged with in both spoken and written form. Overall, the podcast offers an academically oriented introduction to central debates about morality, justice, and the competing frameworks used to evaluate laws, institutions, and social inequality.
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Plato on justice and self interest 2011-Jun-13 17 minutes |
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Transcript -- Plato on justice and self interest 2011-Jun-13 |
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Classical and modern utilitarianism 2011-Jun-13 17 minutes |
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Transcript -- Classical and modern utilitarianism 2011-Jun-13 |
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Kant's moral philosophy 2011-Jun-13 13 minutes |
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Transcript -- Kant's moral philosophy 2011-Jun-13 |
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Rawls on distributive justice 2011-Jun-13 8 minutes |
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Transcript -- Rawls on distributive justice 2011-Jun-13 |
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Nozick on Libertarian theories of justice 2011-Jun-13 7 minutes |
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Transcript -- Nozick on Libertarian theories of justice 2011-Jun-13 |