What is Justice?

[Perhaps]

So who's ideal are we measuring the consept of "justice" against? Surely some will consider the legislation of Christianity as fiting MANY of the definitions of Justice. In reality the vast majority of the idea of justice is merely based on the ideal it is applied to.

Very interesting. Perhaps the concept of justice should be held against the ideals of the collective, or perhaps against the ideals of each individual. I do agree, however, that justice is based on the ideal it is applied to - the question is which one should it be applied to?

The only thing measurable in reality is "equitable". Economic justice fits together well as long as everyone makes the same amount in the economy. In times of hardship, rationing food equally to all can be a measurable form of justice. Somepeople think that they are better than others, or have worked harder than others which means they have a greater equal share than others - although this may be stretching the definition a bit, i am willing to allow it to be included.

Does justice serve the cause of equality or the cause of individuality? Is the ultimate goal of an ideal society equality for all of its members, or freedom for each individual to do as they please? Does individual freedom bring about equality in a sense? Does equality bring about individual freedom? Should justice have a role in developing a society towards its final goal?

As far as inforcing morality and such, some of it may be measurable. The number of arrests of homosexuals for the crime of sodomy comes to mind. Hunting down and punishing theives also come to mind...both can be considered moral justice, but only in the eyes of those who consider theives and homosexuals immoral. If someone believes that private property, and infact all property is commonly owned, then they do not consider anyone to be theives if they take what they want and when they want. In fact punishing theives to this person would be an injustice.

same thing with homosexuality. I am not a homosexual, but I find it to be an injustice to punish homosexuals. Others may find it to be a great justice.

Must an ideal among the people be established before 'true' justice can be performed? Does justice have a place in a society where all opinions are heard equally, even if they differ?

In conclusion, I say that justice is merely an opinion. A belief. Something that cannot be proven to exist inherently in the cosmos. An ideal which is heavily influenced by the individuals intent. In other words, justice is more than likely a figment of the human imagination.

I quite agree in its man made attributes. I view it much the same as order, however, does the fact that it's an opinion derived from the thoughts of man give it the ability to rightly create and enforce laws? Does it simply come down to majority rule, or in some cases tyrannical rule?

Justice is the individual ideal of the collective.

Is justice then compromised? Simply a collection of beliefs held together by the collective's opinion? Is there a 'true' justice or an 'absolute' justice, or does it simply reflect the ideal of the collective? Can there be a definition of justice which allows for each and every person to be free and equal? Does 'free and equal' establish my own opinion of justice, and therefore neglect others who believe it to be something different?

In the real world, my friend, laws are written to serve the interests of the people who propose them.

People love to talk about the "founding fathers" with a kind of reverence reserved for things they do not understand. The founding fathers (note that there were no mothers!) had a distinct fear of democracy. The document they produced was designed to make sure that THEY remained the ruling class.


I'm afraid that "justice" is an abstraction. "Law" is about power.

Is justice merely a word used to 'allow' law to be enforced? Is there no 'true' justice, and it is simply used as a social control device, created by men to control men? This is a very interesting point you've brought up - strikingly similar to religion in the aspect of social control.

However, I personally have no problem with personal religion. Ideas which give the person holding them a sense of individual hope and the 'warm fuzzy feelings' while helping them strive to be a better person. When people implement it as a social control is where I get upset. Could the same be true of justice? Something that is individually held to help the person strive to be better, while giving them hope - instead of something used to control the masses? Just some thoughts off the top of my head.