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On Justice as Equality
Author(s) -
Sampson Edward E.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-4560.1975.tb00996.x
Subject(s) - equity (law) , equity theory , social justice , argument (complex analysis) , positive economics , social equality , economic justice , sociology , empirical research , value (mathematics) , social psychology , law and economics , psychology , political science , economics , epistemology , law , mathematics , philosophy , biochemistry , chemistry , statistics
A critical reexamination of the equity theory conception of justice is presented; the alternative, justice as equality, is introduced and examined, utilizing both theoretical and empirical materials to develop the argument. The implications of these two alternate perspectives on justice are examined with emphasis on the sociohistorical roots and present support for what is presumably a psychological principle i.e., equity is the natural preferred state of human relationships. The role of social psychological research and theory in contributing to the existing system of support for the equity conception is noted, as is the potential value that derives from a serious consideration of conditions conducive to the alternative conception of relationships as based on equity.