There may be no more urgent cry today than that of "justice" -- and no more frequent accusation than that of "injustice." But what is meant when these terms are used? Six Theories of Justice clarifies that question and offers major alternative answers. Dr. Lebacqz surveys three philosophical approaches to justice: John Stuart Mill's utilitarianism, the "contract" system of John Rawls, and the "entitlement" views of Robert Nozick. These are followed by analysis of three theological approaches: that of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, of Reinhold Niebuhr, and of the liberation theologian Jose Porfirio Miranda. A comparison of the effectiveness of each approach in providing direction for facing and dealing with contemporary issues and situations adds to the usefulness of this volume. A lucid and well-structured introduction to recent thinking in social ethics.

Karen Lebacqz is professor emerita of the Pacific School of Religion, and former core doctoral faculty of the Graduate Theological Union. Karen's lifelong commitment to issues of social justice has taken shape in three primary areas: professional ethics, bioethics, and ethical theory. Her publications include more than six books, among them Six Theories of Justice, Justice in an Unjust World, Sex in the Parish, and Ethics and Spiritual Care. Her dozens of essays in bioethics, feminist ethics, and sexual ethics have been published in scientific journals, church magazines, and international contexts. In 2019 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Christian Ethics.