Final answer:
Justice has evolved from medieval concepts of divine right to modern notions of distributive justice and individual rights. Contemporary writers address this theme with emphasis on societal structures and complexities of fairness, contrasting with the past's absolutist views. They often discuss issues like alienation in industrial societies and the works of philosophers like John Rawls.
Step-by-step explanation:
Notions of justice have significantly evolved from the medieval era to contemporary society. In the medieval era, justice often intertwined with the divine right of kings and religious doctrines, having a more absolutist and hierarchical nature. As societies transitioned into modern times, the Enlightenment and subsequent philosophical developments introduced new concepts such as distributive justice and human rights, shaping our current legal and ethical frameworks.
In contemporary writings, the theme of justice is addressed with a greater emphasis on equality, individual rights, and social structures. For example, the work of John Rawls and the concept of libertarianism offer differing views on how justice should be distributed, underscoring the complexity of achieving fairness. Writers now often tackle nuanced discussions on justice that consider historical, social, and economic backgrounds, unlike the more rigid and divinely sanctioned notions of justice in medieval times. Additionally, the issue of alienation in modern industrial societies highlights the ongoing struggle for workers' rights and fair treatment in the face of systemic economic disparities.