Al-Farabi’s Concept of Justice: Right, Merit and The Theory of Shares

Al-Farabi’s concept of justice is based on principles of right, competence and share. If the being abides by principles of right, competence and share; the World in which there are human affairs should also be built upon the principles of right, competence and share. When the balance of right-competence and share system is disturbed in a society, injustice emerges instantly. In Al-Farabi’s view, justice is always tied to love. In another saying, justice follows love. In virtuous societies, love firstly arises when people act virtuously. Increasing such manners with love equals to increasing virtues. Al-Farabi is of the opinion that justice is hard to come out as long as everyone is afraid of each other and adds that justice can emerge quickly in societies where people are attached to each other with sincere love. Al-Farabi establishes a link between justice and happiness. Happiness is the aim of life, and reaching this aim is only possible through the actualization of justice