Spheres of Justice

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Walzer explores the concept of distributive justice, which concerns the fair allocation of goods and resources in society. He argues against the idea of a single universal principle of justice that can be applied uniformly across all spheres of life. Instead, he suggests that different social goods should be distributed according to different principles, taking into account the specific characteristics and values of each sphere.{{Cite journal|date=August 1986|title=Review: [Untitled]|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2026330|website=Jstor|jstor=2026330 |access-date=July 11, 2023}}

Walzer argues in favour of an idea he calls "complex equality", and against the view that goods with different meaning and content can be lumped together into the larger category of primary goods, as is advocated by John Rawls, in his A Theory of Justice (1971). According to Walzer, each sphere has its own internal logic and should be governed by distinct principles of distribution that reflect the particular goods and values at stake.

Spheres of Justice has, together with Just and Unjust Wars (1977) and Interpretation and Social Criticism (1987), been identified as one of Walzer's most important works by the philosopher Will Kymlicka.Kymlicka 2005, p. 952.

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• {{cite book |author=Kymlicka, Will |editor=Honderich, Ted |title=The Oxford Companion to Philosophy |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |year=2005 |isbn=0-19-926479-1 }}

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Category:1983 non-fiction books

Category:Basic Books books

Category:Books by Michael Walzer

Category:Books in political philosophy

Category:English-language non-fiction books

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