Ask Stoics source guide · Stoic Virtues
Fairness in Stoicism
Fairness, within Stoic philosophy, is not merely an abstract concept but a practical application of justice in daily life. It involves a commitment to treating others equitably, making impartial judgments, and distributing resources justly. This virtue guides our interactions, ensuring that our actions are not swayed by personal appetites or biases, but by a rational assessment of what is due. It is an integral part of living in accordance with nature, fostering tranquility and right conduct.
On this page you will get a clear explanation, a way to examine the idea, exact evidence from public-domain Stoic texts, and links for continuing the study.
Justice as a Foundation for Fairness
Justice is a fundamental virtue in Stoicism, and fairness is its practical expression. It ensures that our actions are not only morally sound but also contribute to the well-being of the community. This connection means that fairness is not an isolated trait but an essential component of a virtuous life.
The Stoics understood that justice, and by extension fairness, is intrinsically linked with other virtues like wisdom, temperance, and fortitude. These virtues cannot be separated, as they all work together to create a harmonious and rational existence, free from the disturbances of vice.
Sources: Cicero, On Ends 1.16
The Role of Duty in Fair Conduct
Fairness is closely tied to the concept of duty, or 'kathēkon'. When we act fairly, we are performing actions that are rightly begun and rightly done. This means that our conduct aligns with what is appropriate and rational, rather than being driven by impulse or self-interest.
Performing duties justly is a hallmark of the wise person. The wise individual is never mistaken in their judgment of what is due, ensuring that their actions are always in accordance with fairness. This includes restoring what has been justly deposited, for example.
Sources: Cicero, On Ends 3.18
Fairness in Communication and Candor
Fairness extends to how we communicate with others, particularly in matters of candor and trust. When someone shares their affairs with us, there is an expectation of reciprocity and an implicit agreement of fair exchange in communication.
It can seem unfair to listen to another's secrets without revealing our own in return. This perceived imbalance can lead individuals to disclose their own affairs, believing it to be a candid and fair response to the trust placed in them by others.
Sources: Epictetus, Discourses 4.13
Avoiding Partiality and Self-Interest
A core aspect of fairness is the avoidance of partiality. Our judgments and actions should not be swayed by personal desires or advantages. This requires a disciplined mind that can assess situations objectively, free from the influence of private appetite.
When we act with fairness, we ensure that our decisions are based on reason and what is truly due, rather than on what benefits us personally. This detachment from self-interest is crucial for upholding justice in all our interactions.
Sources: Cicero, On Ends 1.16
The Tranquil Mind and Fair Action
Justice, and therefore fairness, contributes significantly to a tranquil mind. By acting justly, we avoid the anxieties and disturbances that arise from rashness, lust, and idleness. Fair conduct fosters inner peace and stability.
A mind that consistently acts with fairness is one that is not tortured or anxious. Instead, it is nourished by the inherent power and nature of justice, leading to a state of calm and contentment that is free from internal turmoil.
Sources: Cicero, On Ends 1.16
Fairness as a Rightly Performed Duty
Fairness elevates a mere action into a rightly performed duty. The addition of 'justly' to an action, such as restoring a deposit, transforms it from a simple act into one that embodies virtue and aligns with rational principles.
The wise person recognizes that certain actions are not just neutral but are duties that must be performed with fairness. This discernment ensures that every action undertaken is considered through the lens of justice and right conduct.
Sources: Cicero, On Ends 3.18
What the primary texts say
These excerpts keep their work and exact locator so you can check the claim in context rather than accepting a detached quotation.
“Justice remains to be mentioned, that I may not omit any virtue whatever; but nearly the same things may be said respecting that. For, as I have already shown that wisdom, temperance, and fortitude are connected with pleasure in such a way that they cannot possibly be separated or divided from it, so also we must consider that it is the case with justice.”
“For since we see that there is something which we pronounce to have been rightly done (for that is duty when accomplished), there must also be something which is rightly begun: as, if to restore what has been justly deposited belongs to the class of right actions, then it must be classed among the duties to restore a deposit; and the addition of the word “justly” makes the duty to be rightly performed: but the mere fact of restoring is classed as…”
“When a man has seemed to us to have talked with simplicity (candor) about his own affairs, how is it that at last we are ourselves also induced to discover to him our own secrets and we think this to be candid behavior? In the first place because it seems unfair for a man to have listened to the affairs”
Frequently asked questions
How does Stoicism define fairness?
Stoicism understands fairness as a practical application of justice, ensuring equitable treatment, impartial judgment, and just distribution. It means acting according to what is due, free from personal bias, and is deeply connected to other virtues like wisdom and temperance.
Sources: Cicero, On Ends 1.16
Why is fairness considered a duty in Stoicism?
Fairness is a duty because it involves performing actions that are 'rightly begun' and 'rightly done'. The wise person, never mistaken in judgment, recognizes that certain actions, like restoring a deposit, are duties that must be performed justly.
Sources: Cicero, On Ends 3.18
How does fairness relate to communication?
Fairness in communication involves candor and reciprocity. If someone shares their affairs, it can seem unfair not to reciprocate. This expectation of mutual disclosure is seen as a candid and fair exchange in building trust.
Sources: Epictetus, Discourses 4.13
What is the benefit of practicing fairness?
Practicing fairness contributes to a tranquil mind. By acting justly and avoiding partiality, one avoids the anxieties and disturbances caused by vices like rashness and idleness. Justice nourishes the mind, fostering inner peace and stability.
Sources: Cicero, On Ends 1.16
Continue with Ask Stoics
Bring one of these source-grounded questions into the app:
- How can I apply the Stoic understanding of fairness to my daily decisions?
- What are some practical ways to ensure my judgments are impartial?
- How does cultivating fairness help me achieve tranquility?
- Can you give me an example of a 'rightly performed duty' in modern context?