Weblog 3: Miller Analysis

            Social Justice has been debated for centuries by many different philosophers and scholars. This is because social justice is a hard concept to define. Many people have different ideas and moral beliefs. David Miller feels that social justice is about distribution in society. One of the main issues is how should the "goods" and "bads" be shared among the people in a group. Many ideas of social justice debate whether things should be done that benefit one person or society as a whole. In Miller's piece both ideas are explained in depth as well as other theories. These ideas are similar to the concepts in Le Guin's "The Ones that Walk Away from Omelas".

            Miller writes of social justice in the society as a whole. For example when people pay for social services that will benefit others. These people are providing opportunities to others that never would have them. They are giving up some individual freedom to increase the freedoms of the whole society. This was shown in "The Ones that Walk Away from Omelas", by the child being forced to suffer so that the other children could live happily. Unlike the life in Omelas, this theory of social justice states that everyone should give a little to help the community as a whole. This brings up the point of how to justly distribute goods and services. What should people give up, and how should people benefit? There are many issue on this topic because everyone has a different opinion of justice. Should skilled people be given better jobs and more income than unskilled people? Should men and women be given different benefits? These questions have to answered for the society to function in a fair way. Miller writes of many difficulties society must face to bring social justice to everyone.

            British social philosopher L. T. Hobhouse believed that every person is a vital member of society. A society cannot function properly or be truly happy with out every member. This theory applies to the theory that Le Guin implied in "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas". Hobhouse wrote that social justice depends on every individual being able to contribute equally to society. John Locke also felt that social justice is dependent on individual rights. He believed that everyone should have privileges. These concepts require an organized society in which a government can make decisions to enforce fairness and justice. The people that chose to leave Omelas did their part to help give the child freedom, but because everyone did not the child was not released. The policies of social justice will not be effective if there is not a force to carry them out. In Omelas, there was no government to enforce any reforms. However it is the citizens' responsibility to carry out the reforms. It takes an entire society to have social justice.

            There are many concepts of social justice in the world today. Miller's ideas focus on how benefits should be distributed in society. There is a balance that must be found to keep individuals happy while still helping the civilization as a whole. The concept of taking from individuals is present while at the same time the society must help persons in need. However, it is important to recognize that no matter what there is no way to guarantee people's happiness. The goal of social justice is to provide a fair life for everyone in society, but that may not be possible. There are too many issues and different opinions to consider.