Hayek's argument that social justice is a mirage consists of six claim
s: that the very idea of social justice is meaningless, religious, sel
f-contradictory, and ideological; that realizing any degree of social
justice is unfeasible; and that aiming to do so must destroy all liber
ty These claims are examined in the light of contemporary theories and
debates concerning social justice in order to assess whether the argu
ment's persuasive power is due to sound reasoning, and to what extent
contemporary theories of justice meet or escape the Hayekian challenge
.