Unitive Justice asks what do we mean by the word “justice?” Unlike punitive justice, Unitive Justice is based on the moral concept of lovingkindness, which asserts that harming another is never a moral act.

Similar to Restorative Justice, Unitive Justice looks at conflict as an opportunity for healing and transformation, though unitive solutions would never involve punitive measures, as they could in Restorative Justice outcomes.

The moral inconsistency of the punitive system’s proportional revenge, where harm is moral so long as it is proportional to the harm it addresses, is part of a dualistic worldview of “us” versus “them.” Unitive Justice presents an interconnected worldview, and seeks a solution that addresses the root cause of the problem. There are no “victims” or “offenders,” instead those affected come together to restore relationships and harmony.