Aristotle on restorative justice: where the restorative justice and human rights movements meet (κοινοί τόποι)

This chapter makes the argument that the origins of restorative justice are to be found in the Aristotelian notion of “επανορθωτικόν δίκαιον” (corrective or rectificatory justice). A linear historical approach to the Aristotelian theory of justice was avoided. Instead, we argue that certain aspects of this school of thought are reflected in contemporary restorative justice discourse. The concepts of ‘fairness’, justice’, ‘equity’, ‘restoration’, ‘punishment’, ‘responsibility’ and ‘polis’ are the common places (κοινοί τόποι) where Aristotle and restorative justice theories meet. These ‘τόποι’ help us reflect on the roots of restorative justice, (re)define its values and help us (re)position RJ within the worlds of theory, research and practice.