To download a copy of any of the articles in the series, please click here . Intimate justice was developed by Brian Jory as a theory of ethics in close relationships. Traditionally, close relationships were viewed as exempt from ethics because they were believed to emanate from higher virtues like romantic love, affection, or a natural unity of interest. In the 1970's a growing awareness of abuse and violence in close relationships caused assumptions about inherent goodness to be questioned. The first dimension of intimate justice focuses on equal rights and responsibilities and incorporates elements of mutual respect, freedom to make choices and seek self-fulfillment, and accountability.
Accountability includes the responsibility for self-examination of one s internalized beliefs.
The second dimension of intimate justice focuses on fairness and incorporates elements of reciprocity, mutuality in working towards shared goals, and accommodation of differences and diversity. Intimate justice views care as a form of power because of the significant impact it has on those cared for, but also because who one cares for and how care is expressed are powerful forces for bringing growth, structure, and meaning to those who care. Care involves responsibility and can result in some loss of personal freedom, albeit a loss for which one can experience great rewards. There is no simple connection between childhood experiences and adult behavior because every individual interprets their childhood experiences to arrive at some psychological construction about the meaning of those events. This means that individuals are responsible for their internalized beliefs, particularly when those beliefs are self-serving.