Humes Account Of Justice - Essay Example

Regarding the nature of justice, especially in case of ownership of a property, Hume finds out some natural motivations for justice, like public interest, self-love and private benevolence. Applying thoughts and reasoning, all the motivations fail to stand as a valid justification, Hume arrives at a point and explains that our sense of justice is not naturally grounded. Justice as per Hume becomes an artificial outcome of human convention and education. Hume explains the emergence of sense of justice from primitive societies and its transition into more advanced societies.

Hume explains the dependency of an individual on the society for survival and by the motivation of self-love an individual wants to advance society. At this instant all maintain themselves to respect the acquired passions of others and recognize the stability of possessions as the basic requirement to keep society intact. This concept propagates to provide a sense of common interest, respect for the social norms, and a sense of trust in the consistent behavior of others. In this way the process forms a common ground for justice and also forms opinions about property, right and obligation.

Hume points that single acts of justice mostly goes in contradiction with the public good, whereas the common experience teaches us that public good is achieved when justice is made as rule.