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Defining SJ 2

This document defines social justice in three main ways: 1. Taking a utilitarian approach that focuses on the greater good of communities and systems as a whole, with strong moral virtues and guidelines. 2. Treating others with respect, as you would like to be treated yourself. Self-reflection is also key to social justice. 3. Inspiring and working with others in a neutral setting to create change for many, not just individuals, through addressing systems that oppress minority groups.

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77 views

Defining SJ 2

This document defines social justice in three main ways: 1. Taking a utilitarian approach that focuses on the greater good of communities and systems as a whole, with strong moral virtues and guidelines. 2. Treating others with respect, as you would like to be treated yourself. Self-reflection is also key to social justice. 3. Inspiring and working with others in a neutral setting to create change for many, not just individuals, through addressing systems that oppress minority groups.

Uploaded by

api-531834699
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Abigail Yrorita
9/22/2020
Counseling for Social Justice

Defining Social Justice

Major Themes/Components Across Example Social Justice Definitions

1. For the greater good of many individuals/communities, not just one agency

2. Respect, treat others the way you would like to be treated

3. Inspire, work with and organize others

4. Self-reflection

5. Neutral

6. Virtue
Social justice can be defined in many ways, I take a utilitarianism approach when defining social

justice. In other words, a utilitarianism approach is for the greater good of the system as a whole, has a

strong moral sense and offers practicing reasoning and guidelines that the system should follow (Su,

2013, p.37). “Society should treat all equally well who have deserved equally well of it, that is, who

have deserved equally well absolutely. This is the highest abstract standard of social and distributive

justice; towards which all institutions, and the efforts of all virtuous citizens, should be made in the

utmost degree to converge” (Novak, 2007, p.1). Something I have heard growing up is treat others the

way you want to be treated. A statement I practice every day in my personal, work and school life. If I

notice someone seems short with me, I first evaluate myself. How did I communicate with this

individual? Did I treat them the way I want to be treated? Following the utilitarianism approach these

reflections help me to determine if I followed the guidelines and communicated in a way that was for the

greater good of the situation.

Having virtuous morals is another component in defining social justice. You must practice what you

preach. For example, if you support a social injustice movement but don’t speak up when you hear
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misinformed information you are not inspiring others.

The textbook offers five guidelines while learning about social justice. Number four states, “Notice

your own defensive reactions and attempt to use these reactions as entry points for gaining deeper self-

knowledge” (Sensoy & DiAngelo, 2017, p. 31). I believe self-reflection is a key element when defining

social justice, in order to move forward and grow as individuals and communities we must reflect on

ourselves and see what might need to be worked on and what strengths we have to offer. By doing this,

we can determine what the communities inside the system need and try to move in a direction that is for

the greater good of the system as a whole.

Self-reflecting can inspire others to do the same and will benefit the individual and community.

Social justice cannot exist without inspiring and working with others. One individual cannot create

change on their own, it takes many individuals. Social justice exists in a neutral setting, it is open to

anyone who wants to participate and can be about religion, science, politics, culture and many more

subjects (Novak, 2007, p. 3). It is for the greater good of a community or agency, not just for one

individual.

Those who engage in social justice must be respectful of others, be willing to work with others, be

able to self-reflect and know that what they are doing will not benefit them but will benefit many

individuals. Social justice is a collective goal, as long as there are systems in place that oppress minority

groups and are not for the greater good of all individuals in the system at place, the goal will not be met.

Reference
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Novak, M. (2007). Defining Social Justice. Defining Social Justice, 1-3.

Su, H. (2013). Economic justice and liberty : The social philosophy in john stuart mill's utilitarianism.

ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com

Sensoy, Ö., & DiAngelo, R.J. (2017). Is everyone really equal?: an Introduction to Key Concepts in

Social Justice Education. Teachers College Press.

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