First, individual rights cannot be sacrificed for the sake of the general good, and second, the principles of justice that specify these rights cannot be premised on any particular vision of the good life. What justifies the rights is not that they maximize the general welfare or otherwise promote the good, but rather that they comprise a fair framework within which individuals and groups can choose their own values and ends, consistent with a similar liberty for others. Michael J. Sandel
About This Quote

In order to protect individual rights, we must not sacrifice the principles of justice that specify these rights. In order to protect individual rights, we must not sacrifice the principles of justice that specify these rights. Justice is a moral principle that states that each person should be treated in a fair and equal manner. These principles are in place in order to guarantee people the same freedoms and rights in life without any discrimination.

Source: Liberalism And Its Critics

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