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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, and motivation • utilitarianism: classical vs modern • Kantian ethics • distributive justice and fairness (Rawls) • libertarian justice, taxation, property rights (Nozick)This podcast explores major philosophical approaches to justice and morality, focusing on how ethical assumptions shape ideas of fairness, law, and political obligation. Drawing on influential thinkers in the Western tradition, it examines why people comply with laws and whether obedience reflects moral character, rational self-interest, or fear of punishment. A recurring theme is the relationship between individual motives and social rules: what justice demands of citizens, and what citizens can reasonably demand of each other.
Across the series, the podcast contrasts prominent moral frameworks, including utilitarian accounts that evaluate actions and policies by their consequences, and Kantian ethics, which emphasizes duty, universal moral principles, and the grounds for treating persons as ends in themselves. It also considers competing theories of distributive justice and the legitimacy of social and economic inequalities, asking under what conditions unequal outcomes might be justified—especially when weighed against the interests of those worst off.
Political philosophy features strongly through discussions of how societies should distribute benefits and burdens, how to limit bias in social arrangements, and how far state power may extend in pursuing fairness. Libertarian critiques are included as a counterpoint, questioning whether state redistribution—such as taxation—can be morally justified or whether it violates individual rights. Some entries provide transcripts alongside audio, reflecting an educational format connected to an Open University philosophy course.
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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 |