Final answer:
Morality involves principles that distinguish right from wrong behavior, varying by individual beliefs and culture, while justice applies these moral standards within a system of laws to ensure fair treatment. Moral realists believe in objective morality, whereas moral skeptics argue morality is based on values rather than facts. The relation between law and morality is complex, acknowledging that legality and morality do not always align.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Main Differences Between Morality and Justice
The concepts of morality and justice are fundamental to human society, but they are not synonymous. Morality refers to a social phenomenon and comprises the principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior. It is deeply personal and can vary widely based on culture, religion, and individual beliefs. On the other hand, justice is a concept that often involves the application of morals within a formal system, such as laws. It focuses on maintaining a fair and equitable society by upholding a set of commonly understood and practiced laws.
Morality emerges as a result of humans living and interacting with others. It's a reflection of how humans behave towards one another, and at the end of one's life, moral actions often take precedence over material possessions. In contrast, justice deals with the practical application of moral standards through a legal system, ensuring individuals are judged and penalized fairly. It includes concepts of distributive justice, where fairness is assessed in terms of the distribution of wealth, goods, and services.
While moral realists contend that there are objective moral facts, moral skeptics dispute any objective basis for morality, arguing that it is based on values rather than factual, logical, or scientific reasoning. The intersection of law and morality highlights that not all immoral acts are illegal, and not all illegal acts are immoral. Additionally, debates around justice often question whether equal treatment under the law equates to true fairness, considering differing circumstances such as intent, self-defense, and mitigating factors.