Justice

The moral and cardinal virtue by which one gives to another person or institution what is owed thereto.  Justice is distinguished into strict commutations between parties; legal or political justice by which members of a society render to the society what is owed to the society; and distributive justice by which the society itself renders to its members what is owed to them, not only in the form of material goods but especially honors.  The cardinal virtue of justice has many connected virtues, all of which deal with some kind of recognition of right (ius) with regard to another party.  Thus, religion, piety toward parents, patriotism, observance of excellence, liberality, general good manners, and so forth are various species of justice.

Encyclopedia of Catholic Theology


P.O. Box 1956
Cape Girardeau, MO 63702

contact@ect.org

© 2025 Global Catholicism Foundation