Mains Practice Questions

1. Justice is the first virtue of social institutions.

• "Justice is the first virtue of social institutions."John Rawls
• "The virtue of justice consists in moderation, as regulated by wisdom." Aristotle
• "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Martin Luther King Jr.
• "Justice that love gives is a surrender, justice that law gives is a punishment." Mahatma Gandhi.

Philosophical and Theoretical Dimensions of Justice

• The Nature of Justice: Justice refers to the fair distribution of benefits and burdens in society. From Plato to Rawls, theories of justice emphasize equitable treatment based on needs, rights, and contributions.
  • Rawls’s theory highlights two core principles-equal basic liberties for all, and inequalities arranged to benefit the least advantaged, ensuring not equal outcomes, but equal opportunities to pursue individual goals.
• Social Contract Theory: Justice is integral to social contract theory, as articulated by political philosophers like Locke, and Rousseau, where individuals surrender certain freedoms in return for state protection.
  • Social institutions must uphold this contract by ensuring justice, failure to do so undermines their legitimacy and risks social unrest.
• Bhagavad Gita: In the context of Indian philosophy, justice aligns closely with the concept of "Dharma," or the righteous path.
  • The Bhagavad Gita speaks of individuals' duty to follow their Swadharma (personal duty), and in doing so, they contribute to the collective justice of society.
    • Justice in Indian philosophy, therefore, is not only about individual rights but also about contributing to the well-being of the larger community.
• The Indian Constitution, which enshrines justice as a core value in its preamble, aims to secure social, economic, and political justice for all its citizens. Articles like 14 (equality before the law), 15 (prohibition of discrimination), and 21 (right to life and personal liberty) provide a robust framework for justice.
• Buddhist Concept of Justice: Justice, in Buddhist philosophy, is not simply about law but also about right conduct, right livelihood, and fairness in human interactions.
  • The concept of Karuna (compassion) leads to a justice system based on empathy and fairness, where the ultimate goal is to eliminate suffering.
• Gandhian Philosophy of Justice: Mahatma Gandhi’s notion of justice was deeply rooted in truth, and equality. He envisioned a just society where individuals treated each other with respect, and the state was bound by the principles of fairness.

Importance of Justice in Social Institutions

• The Role of the Judiciary: The judiciary is often considered the guardian of justice in any society. In democratic nations, the courts play a pivotal role in ensuring that the laws of the land align with principles of justice.
• The Role of Education Systems: Education is a key social institution that embodies the principles of justice. It ensures equal access to knowledge and opportunities for personal growth.
• The Role of the Police and Law Enforcement: Law enforcement is an institution that upholds justice by maintaining law and order. However, for justice to prevail, law enforcement must operate impartially, without bias towards any group.
  • The relationship between police and society should be based on mutual trust, respect, and fairness.

Historical and Contemporary Examples of Justice

• Landmark Judicial Interventions: India’s pursuit of justice has been shaped by landmark judicial interventions and progressive legislation that continue to uphold and expand the principles of fairness and equality.
  • Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973) established the ‘basic structure doctrine,’ protecting the core values of the Constitution including justice, from parliamentary amendments.
  • Vishakha Guidelines (1997) created a framework to prevent sexual harassment at the workplace, promoting gender justice.
  • Right to Education Act (2009) guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14, advancing social justice through equal educational opportunities.
• Social Justice Movements: Dalit Rights Movement led by figures like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, this movement fought for the abolition of untouchability and caste-based discrimination, resulting in constitutional safeguards and social reforms aimed at justice for marginalized communities.
  • The Women's Reservation act reflects ongoing efforts to ensure political justice by increasing women’s representation in legislatures.

Contemporary Welfare Schemes ensuring Justice Delivery:

• Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PM-JAY): Provides health coverage, promoting social and economic justice by ensuring access to quality healthcare for marginalized populations.
• Right to Education Act (RTE), 2009: Guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years, focusing on equal educational opportunities and bridging socio-economic disparities.
• One Nation One Ration Card Scheme: Ensures food security and social justice by enabling migrant workers and marginalized communities to access subsidized food grains anywhere in the country, preventing exclusion due to migration.
• Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019: Provides legal recognition, protection from discrimination, and welfare measures for transgender persons, advancing social justice and equality for a marginalized community.
• Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act (2006) restores land rights to tribal communities, addressing historic injustice and promoting social justice.

Global Examples:

• Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa): Post-apartheid mechanism aimed at addressing past injustices and promoting national healing through restorative justice.
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948): Sets global standards for justice, equality, and human dignity, influencing constitutional frameworks worldwide.

Conclusion

Justice, as the first virtue of social institutions, is essential for the functioning and sustainability of any society. Without justice, social institutions lose their legitimacy, and social order is compromised. By embedding justice at the core of social institutions, societies ensure their stability, harmony, and progress

2. Freedom is the recognition of necessity.

• "Freedom is the will to be responsible to ourselves." Friedrich Nietzsche
• "Freedom means responsibility; that is why most men dread it." George Bernard Shaw
• "Freedom is the autonomy of the will, which is subject to self-imposed moral laws." Immanuel Kant

Philosophical and Theoretical Dimensions of Freedom

• Freedom and Responsibility: True freedom is not about being unbound or unrestricted but about exercising one's will with a sense of responsibility.
  • Freedom, in this sense, involves choosing actions that are ethical and acknowledging the consequences of those choices.
  • Immanuel Kant also argued that true freedom exists within the framework of self-imposed moral laws, where individuals are responsible for their actions.
• Existential Perspectives on Freedom: From a psychological perspective, freedom is closely linked with personal growth and self-regulation.
  • The existentialist philosophy argued that freedom involves accepting full responsibility for one’s choices, acknowledging that freedom is both liberating and burdensome.
  • The exercise of freedom requires an understanding of one’s capacity to influence the world while also accepting the limitations of personal power.
• Gita’s Concept on Freedom: In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna instructs Arjuna that freedom lies not in escaping duty but in understanding and accepting one’s dharma (moral necessity).
  • Arjuna’s dilemma represents a moment of crisis, and Krishna’s guidance suggests that true liberation (moksha) arises from action aligned with one’s role and the universal order, not from avoidance of responsibility.
• Advaita Vedanta: Adi Shankaracharya’s Advaita Vedanta teaches that true freedom (moksha) comes not from indulging in material desires, but by recognizing the illusion (Maya) and realizing the necessity of detachment and self-knowledge.
• Gandhi's Philosophy of Freedom: For Gandhi, true freedom was the ability to act in accordance with one’s dharma (duty), which was rooted in self-discipline and responsibility.
  • His concept of Swaraj (self-rule) was not only about political freedom but also about individuals taking responsibility for their actions and contributing to the nation’s moral and social progress.
  • He believed that personal liberation could only be achieved through responsible actions that contribute to the welfare of society.
• The Role of Democracy in Freedom: The functioning of democracy relies on individuals recognizing the necessity of responsible choices that support social harmony.
  • A truly free society allows individuals to express themselves, but this freedom must be exercised with accountability, ensuring that the rights of others are respected.
• Environmental Stewardship: Environmental stewardship is a critical form of responsible freedom, as the unchecked exploitation of resources undermines long-term ecological balance.

Historical and Contemporary Examples on Freedom

• Social Reform: In the early 19th century, Indian society was deeply bound by orthodox practices like sati, child marriage, and rigid caste hierarchies. Raja Ram Mohan Roy recognized that true freedom for Indian society required reform, not rebellion against tradition, but thoughtful reinterpretation.
  • Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the Constitution recognized that legal-political freedom was not sufficient unless social and economic constraints were addressed.
    • His framing of the Constitution was rooted in understanding India’s historical necessities (caste, hierarchy, oppression) and designing freedom accordingly.
• Freedom of Speech: In democratic societies, freedom of speech is a fundamental right (article 19), however, this freedom comes with the responsibility not to harm others, as exemplified by the limitations placed on freedom of speech.
  • The recognition of necessity in this context means acknowledging that the exercise of freedom must not infringe on the rights and dignity of others.
• Right to Information (RTI) Movement: Recognizing the necessity of institutional accountability, citizens used democratic tools (petitions, hearings, legal frameworks) to create a movement that led to the RTI Act, 2005.
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): With limited budgets and technological constraints, India’s space program had to operate under severe resource limitations. ISRO recognized the necessity of low-cost, high-efficiency innovation.
  • Missions like Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) were successful because constraints were acknowledged and internalized as design principles.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Entrepreneurs exercise freedom through innovation and risk-taking.
  • However, this freedom comes with the responsibility of ensuring that their actions do not harm society. Entrepreneurs must consider the societal and environmental impacts of their products and services, as seen in the rise of socially responsible businesses and the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Conclusion

Freedom, when grounded in the recognition of structural, historical, or institutional necessity, becomes meaningful, sustainable, and ethical. Whether it's social reform, constitutional design, grassroots activism, or scientific innovation, Indian history and contemporary experience richly demonstrate this profound philosophical truth.