Journal of Advances in Education and Philosophy (JAEP)
Volume-10 | Issue-02 | 18-24
Original Research Article
Theory of Justice: A Cross-Cultural Philosophical Perspective
Sri Suneki, Toebagus Galang Windi Pratama
Published : Feb. 17, 2026
Abstract
The study of the theory of justice has long been a central focus in legal and political philosophy. However, modern academic discourse is often dominated by Western thinkers such as John Stuart Mill, John Rawls, and Robert Nozick, who emphasize utilitarian, egalitarian, and libertarian perspectives on justice, respectively. This paper seeks to broaden these perspectives by presenting perspectives on justice from Asian philosophical traditions, particularly China, through the teachings of Confucius, Mencius, and Xunzi. This approach aims to demonstrate that justice can be understood not only structurally and institutionally, but also morally and relationally. In Confucius's view, justice is rooted in benevolence (ren), moral fairness (yi), and social order (li), where harmony between individuals is the ultimate goal of society. Mencius reinforced this view by asserting that justice arises from human innate goodness and empathy for the suffering of others, while Xunzi emphasized the importance of moral education and a strict social order to curb human evil tendencies. All three-position justice as the result of character formation and moral responsibility, not simply the application of formal law. When compared with Rawls, it is clear that Confucian theory of justice places greater emphasis on the formation of just individuals, rather than simply a just system. Rawls emphasizes procedural justice and equality of rights, while Confucius emphasizes social harmony and personal virtue. Thus, this paper asserts that there is no single and perfect theory of justice; justice must be understood as a cross-cultural dialogue between structure and morality, between the rational West and the ethical East. A synthesis of the two can serve as the basis for developing a more humane, contextual, and relevant concept of justice for contemporary global society.