The fifth book of the Nicomachean ethics of Aristotle

Book V places justice at the heart of social ethics, treating it as the virtue that regulates how individuals relate to one another and to public institutions. Aristotle distinguishes broader political justice—the completeness of virtue in relation to others—from particular justice, which he breaks down into distributive arrangements (proportionate allocation of honors and resources) and corrective measures that restore balance after harm. He explores voluntary and involuntary action, proportionality in exchange, reciprocity, and the interplay between written law and fair judgment. The method is analytic and practical: Aristotle combines logical definitions with attention to everyday legal and economic situations, showing how concepts of fairness inform civic life. Readers interested in moral character, personal integrity, or theories of justice will find a concise, foundational account that illuminates how ethical principles are applied in communities, institutions, and routine transactions.