Search

Summary

Agape-justice conflicts can arise from unattended past wrongs and previous disequilibria in socioeconomic homeostasis. We see this both in theory and in practice. This is sometimes called “prior-fault” moral dilemmas. There is an important time- and place-utility to the claims of justice and agape. These dues have multiple dimensions that must be satisfied simultaneously: giving the right claim, the right amount, at the right time, to the right recipient, from the right payer, at the right place, and in the right manner. Deficiencies in any of these contribute to disequilibria in the delicate socioeconomic homeostasis.

We seek to be both loving and just. However, what do we do when love and justice present us with incompatible obligations? Can one be excessively just? Should one bend rules or even break the law for the sake of compassion? Alternatively, should one simply follow rules? Unjust beneficence or uncaring justice - which is the less problematic moral choice? Moral dilemmas arise when a person can satisfy a moral obligation only by violating another moral duty. These quandaries are also called moral tragedies because despite their good intentions and best effort, people still end up being blameworthy. Conflicting demands of compassion and justice are among the most vexing problems of social philosophy, moral theology, and public policy. They often have life-and-death consequences for millions. In this book, Albino Barrera examines how and why compassion-justice conflicts arise to begin with, and what we can do to reconcile their competing claims.

Search Results

Refine search

Refine search

Actions for selected content:

2 results

Chapter 5 - Unattended Past Wrongs

Summary

Compassion-Justice Conflicts and Christian Ethics

Search Results

Refine search

Refine search

Actions for selected content:

Save Search

2 results

Chapter 5 - Unattended Past Wrongs

Summary

Compassion-Justice Conflicts and Christian Ethics