Pretty straight forward folks. From a philosophical/logical perspective, what do you see as the difference (if any) between an action/event that is right and an action/event that is fair?
2007-06-30 16:32:15 · 14 answers · asked by Roger W 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Here is my event that I will use to attempt to make a distinction. On "The Titanic" (The movie) there is a scene where Kate is lying on top of some debris and Jack is in the water trying to stay afloat. In this scene what is 'fair' is that both of them share the debris to both stay partially afloat. What is 'fair' is that they either both live or both die. What is 'fair' is that they offer this chance to others around them.
In all these 'fair' examples both would die.
What is 'right' is that one is given a greater chance than the other. Rose is given the whole piece of debris so she is out of the water. The debris is taken away from the main crowd so that Jack and Rose can use the debris to try and survive, ect.
Basically it seems that "fairness" reflects equality. Equal distribution and equal ends.
"Right" reflects a more subjective view of the event. This also represents views on "goodness" and utilitarian arguments like "happiness", ect. Is it ‘fair’ that one person lived? No. Would it be ‘fair’ if both died? Yes. Would it be ‘right’ that both died? No. Would it be ‘right’ that one lived? Yes.
2007-07-01 02:34:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What's right takes into account the rules and laws of the society. To do what is right is to follow those laws. Sometimes laws or rules are not right, and one must deviate to do what is fair.
example using baseball
There was a rule that said that a game must go 5 full innings to be complete. In the event of rain, the game would revert to the last complete inning in the event of a rain cancellation.
Baltimore was ahead of the Yankees 5 to 4 after 5 complete innings. The Yankees scored 3 runs in the top of the 6th to take the lead 7 to 5. Rain started, and they had to cancel the game. Since Baltimore did not bat in the bottom of the 6th, they reverted back to the end of 5 (voiding the 3 yankee runs) and Baltimore won the game. This was "right" but "unfair"
The rule was changed to make it fair. New rule is that the game continues where it left off when the two teams meet again.
2007-06-30 16:51:49 · answer #2 · answered by mark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the action and the situation. Often times, there is no difference between what is "right" and what is "fair". There are occasionally exceptions to this, of course.
2007-06-30 16:36:30 · answer #3 · answered by The Man In The Box 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Fair" is always in the eyes of the beholder, usually only describes a condition that would have worked more to his own advantage. However, sometimes it spills over into concepts of justice.
"Right" cuts a wider swath and is more generally accepted as defined by ethics, or morality.
2007-06-30 16:37:39 · answer #4 · answered by Jack P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The "right action" has only one outcome and form. Fair is a balanced outcome that may take many forms.
2007-06-30 16:39:57 · answer #5 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anthony Spears got it.
what is truely "right" is beneficial for all beings everywhere.
"fair"ness is a lens that the ego sees the world through and often is a lens that must be shed to actually see what is "right"
2007-06-30 16:35:41 · answer #6 · answered by ỉη ץ٥ڵ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is right is what's good for all people, all the time.
What is fair is a compromise between two or more different things that are good for different groups or people.
2007-06-30 16:35:12 · answer #7 · answered by Mickey Mouse Spears 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Right and wrong is black and white thinking. Where fair and unfair fits better in shades of grey.
2007-06-30 16:37:48 · answer #8 · answered by twikiruk 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a mother so what is right for you is always fair for you. lol.
2007-06-30 16:59:24 · answer #9 · answered by Luv2no is in the house 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
perhaps "right" is from a moral standpoint and "fair" is from a social perspective
2007-06-30 16:34:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋