ABSTRACT
Justice is a set of socially constructed rules, generally arrived at by an evolutionary process similar to languages, which are adopted and maintained because they help us to lead better lives together, both by protecting us against harms by others and facilitating mutually beneficial cooperation. Moral rules, and in particular the parts of morality that tend to be given legal force, which is what we call justice, consist mainly in rules that restrict our freedom to do as we wish in order to protect and enhance the freedoms and welfare of others. It is in our mutual interest to agree to refrain from violating the sovereignty of others over their bodies, minds and property (the “Sovereignty Principle”). Departures from the Sovereignty Principle are justified only when they are mutually beneficial (the “Reciprocal Sovereignty Principle”).
