It has been repeatedly argued—particularly by liberal theorists—that individuals need not be privately just, so long as the state secures a neutral framework of procedural justice through its institutions. On this view, exemplified by John Rawls, justice is primarily a matter of designing and maintaining “basic structures” that guarantee fair cooperation, while individuals are free to pursue their own desires and conceptions of the good.

But it is increasingly clear that this is insufficient: society cannot be made just by law. Justice, if it is to be realized in practice, requires individuals who actively aspire to become just themselves. At first glance, this might seem merely a matter of civic education curricula. Yet formation occurs far beyond the classroom—it takes place within families, in workplaces, and through daily encounters with public institutions.

The broader implication is this: contra Rawls, justice cannot rest solely on procedural foundations. We need institutions that cultivate character, not merely capabilities; that foster wisdom, not merely choice.

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