Farabi’s Perspective on the Relationship between Justice and Felicity

Farabi considers justice in the three domains of genesis, society and individual being and in all three pays close attention to moderation. In his view, moderation, in genesis, means giving existence to creatures based on eligibility, in society, it means the distribution of common good based on individuals’ merits and, in relation to morality, it means respect for the mean or the middle. He classifies felicity to worldly felicity and heavenly felicity; the former is the means through which the latter is achieved. Heavenly felicity, as the highest rank to be achieved is specified for sages. Being influenced by Plato and Aristotle, he agrees with the contribution of justice to the achievement of true happiness and this is due to its nature which makes it a necessity for other things which are desirable. The fact that gaining true happiness necessitates things other than justice provides evidence that justice is only a requisite condition.