Justice is ordinarily defined as "fairness," but the meaning of fairness suggests both a comparative element (i.e., treating equals as equals, except when they have relevant differences and concomitant forms of equal opportunity) and a noncomparative element (i.e., the notion that each person should be given his or her due--what is owed, earned, needed, or deserved). This note discusses how various systems, processes, and outcomes can be considered fair (or unfair) from these two perspectives.
