Is Social Justice Just? The Moral Obligations of Social Justice [POLICYbrief]

Social justice is a disputed concept in law and philosophy. In this episode of POLICYbrief, Professor Penelope Andrews of NY Law School discusses the individual and societal obligations of social justice. Check out other perspectives on social justice in our playlist: Is Social Justice Just?

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As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speaker.

Learn more about Penelope Andrews:

Differing Views:

Is Social Justice Just? Why Income Inequality is Just

Is Social Justice Just? The Justice of Economic Opportunity

Justice versus Social Justice

Letter to a Law School Student Interested in Social Justice

[theacguy]

What law guarantees “dignity”? Everything that woman said absolutely nothing.

[bxbluesofficial]

I wish she would have elaborated more on how the constitution falls short on the commitment to social and economic rights. It almost sounds like she's saying the constitution should have allowed govt. to impose those rights. But I think that's inherent in recognizing that we're "all created equal", putting that commitment on the people -where it should be - not government.

[MrIsaiahhanson]

First, I am very surprised that the Federal Society would post something as this. I will state what I see to be the main problem (many others flow from it). At the heart of it, it's promoting a belief completely opposite to what the Constitution is founded on. First, the NY Law School professor painted Social Justice as a ideology that it is not. For an organization that stands on originalist and textualist interpretations of the Constitution, why are you promoting an ideology that is is opposite from yours? The founders did talk about human rights. And their conclusion was not social justice. Why? Because the U.S. Constitution and the U.N. Constitution start from VERY different beginning points: that your rights come from God or they come from man. Lastly, she claims that Social Justice is not political, or it shouldn't be. The fact of the matter is this; when you have a belief system, it tangibly works itself out in application (politics). And so we come to the crux of our heightened political climate: a contrast between two differing belief systems. The Federalist Society, you are sawing off the branch you sit on. Stay true to your roots. The last few videos you have been posting, as well as your selective commentary on key events, is an indicator of your slipping. You can't play both sides.

[ScottBlockBeats_]

The right to freely associate and the right to property are social and economic rights enshrined in the constitution. The take is so convoluted in its language as to be incoherent.

[Harem__King]

Everyone has the right to be successful and to not be successful. If you spend your entire life in drugs and being a lazy bum then you get what you deserve. If you work hard build a business alway strive for excellence then naturally you'll have more fruits to pick. Our country is a republic with individuality not mob rule aka democracy our founding farthers knew it isn't perfect but its far more greater.

[maxcohen]

The content of this video is quite uncharacteristic of The Federalist Society's usual offerings. It's surprising and somewhat disappointing.

She begins by stating social justice is a collective effort, and she's right. But to carry that into the belief that moral obligations are somehow tied to it is just too much of a stretch. The method to obtain is governed by law, but to give is – thankfully – purely subjective. The Constitution's take on social justice comes from every man's guarantee to be equal at the starting line, but there's no mention of the finish line. The Constitution gives you the tools to build. It doesn't tell you _what_ to build, nor _how_ to build it. Today, this concept of social justice is not about law. It's about the haves and the have-nots.

[thecultofjohnnydelr.soulsw]

Tired of listening to people with titles

[futurmajic]

The freedom to pursue happiness is all that is required, anymore and you start creating problem after problem, taking happiness away from people, and unhappy people tend to make poor decisions. In other words you just went and totally messed up all of society.

[davidstoyanoff]

She needs to take some homeless people into her house.

[lawrencesally]

Why is this hate group allowed on YouTube????