Principi di giustizia e politiche pubbliche
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course introduces students to philosophical reflections on the principles of justice that can inform public policy. Specifically, it aims to provide students with a critical understanding of the key normative theories of political and social justice, equipping them with the conceptual tools necessary to analyse the fairness of public institutions and policies.
Through the comparative study and discussion of theoretical conceptions of political and social justice, as well as specific justice issues, the course will develop students' ability to independently analyse the normative issues at the heart of contemporary public debate, while strengthening their argumentative and communication skills.
Through the comparative study and discussion of theoretical conceptions of political and social justice, as well as specific justice issues, the course will develop students' ability to independently analyse the normative issues at the heart of contemporary public debate, while strengthening their argumentative and communication skills.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have acquired the following:
Knowledge and understanding
- Knowledge and understanding of the subject, purpose, method and status of philosophical reflection on justice as an analytical enterprise.
- Knowledge and understanding of the assumptions, principles and implications of the main contemporary philosophical conceptions of political and social justice.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
- The ability to apply the theoretical models they have learnt to critically analyse concrete political and social justice issues.
- The ability to evaluate public policies in light of various philosophical conceptions of political and social justice.
Autonomy of judgement
- The ability to make reasoned and autonomous judgements on issues of public policy and justice.
Communication skills
- The ability to argue normative positions clearly and rigorously, thereby making a constructive contribution to discussions on issues of political and social justice.
Learning skills
- The ability to read, understand and critically analyse philosophical texts concerning political and social justice.
- The ability to locate relevant philosophical literature independently using search engines and bibliographic repositories.
Knowledge and understanding
- Knowledge and understanding of the subject, purpose, method and status of philosophical reflection on justice as an analytical enterprise.
- Knowledge and understanding of the assumptions, principles and implications of the main contemporary philosophical conceptions of political and social justice.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
- The ability to apply the theoretical models they have learnt to critically analyse concrete political and social justice issues.
- The ability to evaluate public policies in light of various philosophical conceptions of political and social justice.
Autonomy of judgement
- The ability to make reasoned and autonomous judgements on issues of public policy and justice.
Communication skills
- The ability to argue normative positions clearly and rigorously, thereby making a constructive contribution to discussions on issues of political and social justice.
Learning skills
- The ability to read, understand and critically analyse philosophical texts concerning political and social justice.
- The ability to locate relevant philosophical literature independently using search engines and bibliographic repositories.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
The course is divided into three teaching units, each consisting of 10 lessons/20 hours.
Teaching Unit 1
The first teaching unit will introduce students to philosophical reflections on political and social justice. After defining the subject, purpose, method and status of the philosophy of justice and delimiting the scope of investigation to public institutions, the main theories of political and social justice will be presented, focusing on the principles of justice.
The lectures will cover the following topics:
- The relational essence of justice and its dimensions
- Social justice and the role of public institutions
- The purpose, method and status of the philosophy of justice
- Justice and natural law: Catholic natural law
- Justice and natural rights: proprietary individualism
- Justice and common values: communitarianism
- Justice and happiness: utilitarianism and other forms of welfarism
- Justice and freedom (1): libertarian liberalism
- Justice and freedom (2): egalitarian liberalism
- Justice and liberation: socialism and other forms of humanism
Teaching Unit 2
The second teaching unit will focus on discussing issues of economic justice related to labour organisation and wealth distribution. It will consider the implications of various political and social justice theories regarding the role of public institutions in regulating the labour market, distributing wealth and providing resources and services.
The lectures will cover the following topics:
- Competitive equality of opportunity
- Justice and access to education
- The meritocratic distribution of employment positions
- Preferential treatment policies
- The gender system and the division of labour
- Justice within enterprises
- Justice and economic inequality
- Principles of justice and fiscal policy
- Principles of justice and social policy
- Justice, capitalism and its alternatives
Learning Unit 3
The syllabus for the third teaching unit will be published as soon as the lecturer has been identified.
Teaching Unit 1
The first teaching unit will introduce students to philosophical reflections on political and social justice. After defining the subject, purpose, method and status of the philosophy of justice and delimiting the scope of investigation to public institutions, the main theories of political and social justice will be presented, focusing on the principles of justice.
The lectures will cover the following topics:
- The relational essence of justice and its dimensions
- Social justice and the role of public institutions
- The purpose, method and status of the philosophy of justice
- Justice and natural law: Catholic natural law
- Justice and natural rights: proprietary individualism
- Justice and common values: communitarianism
- Justice and happiness: utilitarianism and other forms of welfarism
- Justice and freedom (1): libertarian liberalism
- Justice and freedom (2): egalitarian liberalism
- Justice and liberation: socialism and other forms of humanism
Teaching Unit 2
The second teaching unit will focus on discussing issues of economic justice related to labour organisation and wealth distribution. It will consider the implications of various political and social justice theories regarding the role of public institutions in regulating the labour market, distributing wealth and providing resources and services.
The lectures will cover the following topics:
- Competitive equality of opportunity
- Justice and access to education
- The meritocratic distribution of employment positions
- Preferential treatment policies
- The gender system and the division of labour
- Justice within enterprises
- Justice and economic inequality
- Principles of justice and fiscal policy
- Principles of justice and social policy
- Justice, capitalism and its alternatives
Learning Unit 3
The syllabus for the third teaching unit will be published as soon as the lecturer has been identified.
Prerequisites for admission
Italian will be the standard language for lectures, and students will be required to read texts in this language. Therefore, a good knowledge of Italian is essential.
Teaching methods
Although class attendance is not compulsory, it is highly recommended. Based on previous years' experience, students who attend are more likely to pass the exam on their first attempt and achieve a higher grade.
Teaching for attending students will consist of lectures, class discussions, and recommended reading on the topics covered in the lectures.
Lecture slides will be available on the course's MyAriel website.
Students who do not attend should prepare for the exams by studying the texts indicated in the bibliography section of the syllabus.
Teaching for attending students will consist of lectures, class discussions, and recommended reading on the topics covered in the lectures.
Lecture slides will be available on the course's MyAriel website.
Students who do not attend should prepare for the exams by studying the texts indicated in the bibliography section of the syllabus.
Teaching Resources
The course bibliography will be provided before the start of the academic year.
Attending students will be required to read texts totalling between 60 and 90 pages per credit, while non-attending students will be required to read texts totalling between 100 and 150 pages per credit. According to ministerial guidelines, 1 credit corresponds to 25 hours of commitment. Subtracting the time dedicated to lectures and note-taking for attending students, this equates to 4-6 pages per hour of individual study.
Attending students will be required to read texts totalling between 60 and 90 pages per credit, while non-attending students will be required to read texts totalling between 100 and 150 pages per credit. According to ministerial guidelines, 1 credit corresponds to 25 hours of commitment. Subtracting the time dedicated to lectures and note-taking for attending students, this equates to 4-6 pages per hour of individual study.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Different learning assessment methods and evaluation criteria will apply to attending and non-attending students.
To obtain attending status, students must attend at least 3/5 of the lectures (18 out of 30).
Attending students will be assessed based on their attendance and participation in class discussions, as well as their performance in compulsory written and oral exams. These exams will cover the content of the lectures and the texts indicated in the bibliography section of the syllabus.
Non-attending students will only be assessed based on compulsory written and oral exams. These will only cover the texts indicated in the bibliography section of the syllabus.
Further information on assessment methods and criteria will be published on the MyAriel course site before the start of the lessons.
To obtain attending status, students must attend at least 3/5 of the lectures (18 out of 30).
Attending students will be assessed based on their attendance and participation in class discussions, as well as their performance in compulsory written and oral exams. These exams will cover the content of the lectures and the texts indicated in the bibliography section of the syllabus.
Non-attending students will only be assessed based on compulsory written and oral exams. These will only cover the texts indicated in the bibliography section of the syllabus.
Further information on assessment methods and criteria will be published on the MyAriel course site before the start of the lessons.
Professor(s)
Reception:
The professor meets with students weekly, on campus or online. To make an appointment, please contact the professor by email.
On-campus meetings will be held in the professor's office on the second floor of the building overlooking via Passione (room 206). Online meetings will be held through Microsoft Teams.