1. Plato: In his work "The Republic," Plato delves into the nature of justice, proposing the idea of an ideal city-state in which justice is achieved through a harmonious and well-ordered society. He also introduces the famous allegory of the cave, which has been interpreted as an exploration of the nature of justice and the philosopher's role in seeking it.
2. Aristotle: Aristotle, a student of Plato, discussed justice in his "Nicomachean Ethics" and "Politics." He distinguished between distributive justice (dealing with the fair distribution of resources and honors) and corrective justice (dealing with rectifying wrongs and restoring balance). Aristotle's concept of justice is deeply tied to ethics and virtue.
3. John Rawls: In the 20th century, John Rawls made significant contributions to political philosophy and justice theory. He proposed the influential concept of "justice as fairness" in his book "A Theory of Justice." Rawls' work focuses on the principles of justice that would be chosen by rational individuals operating under a "veil of ignorance" about their own circumstances.
4. Immanuel Kant: Kant, in his work "Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals" and "Metaphysics of Morals," explored the concept of justice within the framework of deontological ethics. He emphasized the importance of moral principles and universal maxims in the determination of justice.
5. John Stuart Mill: Mill, in his work "Utilitarianism," discussed justice in the context of utilitarian ethics. He argued that actions are just if they promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number, and he explored the relationship between justice and utility.
6. Amartya Sen: Amartya Sen is known for his capabilities approach to justice. He argues that justice should be evaluated based on the capabilities and freedoms people have to lead valuable lives. Sen's work has been influential in discussions of social justice and development.
7. Martha Nussbaum: Nussbaum, like Sen, has contributed to the capabilities approach to justice. She has written extensively on the idea of "human capabilities" and their relationship to justice, particularly in the context of human development and the role of government.
8. John Locke: Locke's political philosophy, as articulated in his "Two Treatises of Government," includes discussions of justice, property rights, and the social contract. His ideas have had a significant impact on modern political thought and concepts of justice.