A Criticism On Distributive Justice From Social Relationship Perspective

Justice is the principal question of political philosophy, the study of justice runs through contemporary political philosophy. Most of the discourse of justice in contemporary political philosophy is distributive paradigm, in which social justice is distribution of basic goods. The claims to justice addressed in the new left social movements beyond the distributive paradigm of justice, and the distributive paradigm of justice faces challenges from multiculturalism, recognition theory, the politics of differences.Iris Marion Young’s criticism to distributive theory standing out among them.By using critical theory,Iris Marion Young engage in analysis of justice from injustice. Young conceptualize the unjust people suffered in real society to “domination” and ”oppression”.And using five terms to show the faces of oppression:exploitation, marginalization, powerlessness, culture imperialism and violence. Hearing the appeals to justice raised in contemporary social movements,Young catch that contemporary theory of justice give few response to these appeals. Though inspection to contemporary theory of justice, Young argues that the distributive paradigm of justice improperly limit the field of justice. Then Young points out two problem distributive paradigm of justice has: the distributive paradigm presupposes and obscures institutional context, and the distributive paradigm overextends the concept of distribution.In Iris Marion Young’s view, these two problems have roots in the metaphysical presuppositions of distributive paradigm:social ontology of individualism, neutrality reasoning. Young articulates her ideals and principles about justice though her criticism to distributive paradigm of justice. Presenting a relational concept of social groups though criticizing social ontology of individualism, pursuing recognition to “difference” though criticizing neutrality reasoning, then Young expand the field of justice to a broader range:not only focusing on distribution, but including inspection to social institution, pattern of action,and production and reproduction of symbols a nd social structure.This essay begins from Iris Marion Young’s criticism on distributive justice, trying to present the outline of Young’s justice theory. Iris Marion Young’s criticism to distributive justice and original interpretation about justice provide us a new view to understanding justice, and this essay try to though the discussion about Young’s justice promote the new discourse of justice in C hina.