Principle of Fairness

Principle of Fairness

Fairness suggests that each person should make all decisions on appropriate criteria, without undue favoritism or improper prejudice. Fairness often has been used with regard to an ability to judge without reference to one's feelings or interests.

Not Compatible with:

Rights – Sometimes, someone’s right would not be fair to others.

Compatibility with other Ethical Schools

Virtue – Fairness is one of major virtues and it is accepted as legitimate and reasonable by others.

Common Good – Fairness would go along with common good, as long as everyone is treated equally.

Utilitarianism – Utilitarianism produces the best outcomes for everyone affected. If everyone is getting their fair share, utilitarianism would go along with fairness.

Hedonism – The idea of Hedonism is the pursuit of pleasure, but the concept of fairness is to treat people equally without someone’s favor.

There are occasions I need to deliver messages that are negative in tone, uncomplimentary, or critical of other’s performance. Typically, when I deliver negative feedback, I tell people how I feel about the negative situation or their poor performance directly. Of course, as I am not happy with the situation or their performance, the tone of the conversation can end up offending others and hurting the relationship. What I have come to learn about myself is that it is hard for me to talk to people about negative feedback positively, so in the past I have tried to either avoid a conversation or ask others to talk to the person.