ABSTRACT
However, it is important to note that when addressed in this way, justice refers to an ethical principle, rather than a virtue. So far, the authors have considered the principle of justice. Papouli argues that instead of being only one of the cardinal virtues, justice is the most significant virtue because it addresses the wellbeing or flourishing of others and not of ourselves. The point is that justice is virtue that necessarily focuses our attention outwards and prioritises others in our ethical frame of reference. As Papouli observes, justice is a significant virtue for social work because it is other-directed, and this includes the way in which social workers focus their practice on challenging injustice as well as how they act towards individuals. There are layers of injustice in such situation, of gender as well as of 'race' and culture and socio-economic class, and willingness to recognise that and respond to it shows a quality of character that expresses justice.
