Concept of Justice

Abstract

     In ancient times, justice had to be consistent with reality and nature. The people of India, China, Ancient Greece and Thai have similar views. Ancient Greek thinkers focused on the concept of justice in order to seek the key principles to describe a good state or good governance.  In the Middle Ages, there was a division of social classes according to the Great Chain of Being, i.e. the classes were systematically arranged from high to low. In this sense, justice lies in the performance of one's own duties and in the Modern Ages the view of justice will focus on the theory of social contracts.

     In Buddhism, justice is righteousness. There are two levels of righteousness, the universal level or the justice according to the law of karma and social justice. The latter will see practical examples from Thai society which are rooted in the practice of Buddhist teachings.