Can there be a universal definition of justice?

The concept of justice has been subject to various interpretations across different cultures and philosophical traditions, making a universal definition challenging. Classical definitions, such as Plato’s notion of justice as harmony in the state and the soul, contrast with modern understandings like Rawls’s theory of justice as fairness, which emphasizes equal basic rights, equality of opportunity, and benefiting the least advantaged in society.

While a single, universal definition may be elusive, there are common themes, such as fairness, equality, and the protection of rights, that could form the basis of a more generalized understanding of justice.