Resources > Background knowledge
Justice… what exactly does it actually mean?
1. Habeas Corpus
Habeas Corpus, sometimes known as ‘The Great Writ’, names an important legal principle that protects individual freedom and ensures that no one is held without charge.
Source: BBC (2012-2015); Open University (2012-2015). History of Ideas. Duration: 01:58
2. Civil Disobedience
A just society has fair laws. But most societies aren’t like that. So what can you do? The opponent of slavery, Henry David Thoreau, gave one answer in his essay ‘On Civil Disobedience’: follow your conscience and break the law on moral grounds rather than be a cog in an unjust system. Ghandi, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King have all inspired generations to make changes to unjust laws through civil disobedience.
Source: BBC (2012-2015); Open University (2012-2015). History of Ideas. Duration: 02:06
3. The Veil Of Ignorance
What’s your blueprint for a just society? Your answer probably reflects who you are and the situation you find yourself in. If you’re rich, you may well be in favour of the freedom to earn and enjoy the fruits of your efforts; if you’re poor you’re likely to be more supportive of a system that redistributes wealth. John Rawls argued it might be more just to construct this blueprint from behind a ‘veil of ignorance’.
Source: BBC (2012-2015); Open University (2012-2015). History of Ideas. Duration: 01:36
4. Lex Talionis and Retribution
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth might sound like brutal retribution but its roots were in encouraging a sense of proportion.
Source: BBC (2012-2015); Open University (2012-2015). History of Ideas. Duration: 01:53
BIG IDEAS
01. Beginnings
02. Who am I?
03. Being human
04. Knowledge
05. Beauty
06. Love
07. Freedom
08. Society
09. The good life
10. Right from wrong
11. Justice
12. Technology
CONCEPTS EXPLAINED
01. Astronomy
02. Microgravity
03. Thoughts on theory
04. Theology explained
05. History of the English language
06. History of Money
07. Economics explained
08. The European Union explained
CREDIT TO:
You must be logged in to post a comment.