Fairness and justice are not the same thing
“Fairness” and “justice” are not the same thing.
Fairness has to do with playing according to the rules—someone wins a game “fair and square”—without considering whether the rules themselves are just.
Fairness in a game that is rigged is still unjust. Insisting on “fair admissions” for people whose families have vastly different histories of privilege or oppression is unjust. Insisting on “fair taxation” is meaningless without a larger, justice-driven goal of reducing wealth inequality. After all, it’s perfectly fair for a bilionaire to shield their wealth; they’re playing the game as written.
Striving for justice often initially upsets people who focus on fairness, because justice often demands breaking long-standing tradition. But justice is what moves societies toward enlightenment; fairness only keeps it firmly in the past.