Justice

2021 ◽  
pp. 362-378
Author(s):  
Robin Lovin
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Social Problems ◽  
Christian Ethics ◽  
Critical Perspective ◽  
Modern Democracy ◽  
Reinhold Niebuhr ◽  
Prophetic Tradition

For Reinhold Niebuhr, ideas of justice emerge from the interaction of human nature and historical forces. While biblical ideals do not provide a blueprint for solving modern social problems, the prophetic tradition provides us with an example for criticism of existing distributions of wealth and power. These impossible ideals enable Christian ethics to engage responsibly in the politics of modern democracy while maintaining a critical perspective on its political achievements. A realistic, flexible, and relevant idea of justice allows the correction of injustices without succumbing to the illusion that perfect justice is possible. Like democracy, justice provides ‘proximate solutions to insoluble problems’. Faith finds meaning in impossible ideals while seeking the proximate solutions.

scholarly journals Human Nature, Justice, and Society: Reinhold Niebuhr in the Chinese Context

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-242
Author(s):  
Zhibin Xie
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Reinhold Niebuhr ◽  
Chinese Context ◽  
Public Issues ◽  
The Public ◽  
Christian Perspective ◽  
Chinese Scholars ◽  
Theological Methodology

This issue will bring Niebuhr’s theological methodology into a contextual experiment with the “the reality of human experience” in the Chinese context (which here includes mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan) and see how Niebuhr’s Christian ideas are relevant, receptive, and revisited in that context. The public issues he raised from Christian perspective on human nature, love and justice, and democracy are not only located in his culture and society but also apply to other global contexts, including the Chinese context. This issue consists of four contributions from Chinese scholars and one from an American expert on Niebuhr.

Political Forgiveness

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-254
Author(s):  
Pan-chiu Lai
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
Public Issue ◽  
Reinhold Niebuhr ◽  
Political Forgiveness ◽  
Christian Churches

The recent protest in Hong Kong since summer 2019 makes political forgiveness an urgent public issue facing the Christian churches. Through a contextual and multidisciplinary dialogue with Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971), this study argues for a realistic understanding that political forgiveness is possible as well as desirable, which should be based on a dialectical view of human nature, rather than a naïve and optimistic view of human compassion. This realistic understanding of political forgiveness is grounded on Niebuhr’s thought and relevance to the Hong Kong context.

Justice between Fairness and Love? Christian Ethics in Dialogue with Rawls and Niebuhr

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-328
Author(s):  
Jenny Anne Wright
Keyword(s):  
John Rawls ◽  
Christian Ethics ◽  
Critical Dialogue ◽  
Reinhold Niebuhr ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Theological Perspective ◽  
Laws And Policies ◽  
Moral Superiority ◽  
Main Ideas

Abstract There are many different approaches to justice, both theological and secular. These different approaches and diverse theories need not be exclusive, but can play an important role in a dialogue on justice. Since justice is never completely just, it is imperative to always be critical of laws and policies while guarding against moral superiority and oppression. To this end, this article seeks to enter into a critical dialogue between John Rawls and Reinhold Niebuhr from a theological perspective. It critically examines their main ideas and focuses on the role of community, the importance of moral dialogue, the priority of the poor and the unique issues raised by globalization.

Self-Actualization, Human Nature, and Global Social Problems

Society ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 520-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas T. Kenrick
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Social Problems ◽  
Self Actualization

Perceived mobility of impact: global elites and the bono effect

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynne Andersson ◽  
Lisa Calvano
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Social Policy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Problems ◽  
Critical Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Market Driven

Purpose – This paper aims to examine how the globally mobile elite (GME) uses its capital and networks to create a perception that market-driven solutions to social problems are superior to the efforts of government and civil society. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on a number of emerging literatures, the authors introduce and develop the concept of the “perceived mobility of impact” and use the case of the “Bono effect” to illustrate how this phenomenon is enacted. The authors then employ a critical lens to challenge the consequences of this perceived mobility of impact. Findings – Global elites use their mobility to generate network capital, which in conjunction with celebrity affinity for global humanitarian causes builds a self-reinforcing consensus and legitimizes market-driven solutions to social problems. While this approach may make the GME feel generous about their contribution, it raises questions about accountability and representation in shaping global social policy. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the burgeoning literature on the GME, offering a unique critical perspective on their motives and actions, and introduces the concept of ‘perceived mobility of impact’.

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