Justice Essay, Research Paper

Justice

When the question is asked “Can we live in a just world?” In effect it is

asking us a variety of things. “Can there be justice for all?” and “Can there

be equality for all people?”. The answer to this question is no.

Unfortunately we live in a world where justice has never really transpired. The

first justice that I would like to speak about is personal justice. Blessed are

those reared in a household innocence of the deadly sin of envy. Their lives

will be tormented by a grinding resentment that they are not beautiful, or

famous, or favored with gifts of fortune. They will not demand as a natural

right or an entitlement of personal equality with everybody under the sun; nor

maintain that their opinions are as good as anybody else’s. They will not covet

a neighbors’ goods. And thus they may come to know peace of soul. The

injustice of equality 10/15/93 The point of this statement is not to say that

envy makes equality. When we wish for “personal equality” with people, we wish

to deny what we really are and allow for superficialness. We become so obsessed

with our possessions that we forget who we are and the beauty of our differences.

Aristole said that “it is unjust to treat unequal things equally”. All people

are different, that is exactly what makes us human, so when we treat people

entirely the same, we deny their identity. For example that does not mean that

I should not treat all people with respect, but I feel that even that may differ

depending on who you are and how I am related to you. For instance, I will not

give a stranger the same amount of respect that I might give my mother or father.

I feel that would be unfair, and ignorant. The stranger should have to earn my

respect, just like my parents or friends. The teachings of Marx exemplified this

very wrong that I am discussing. Marx believed (if I am not mistaken)that in

order to bring about equality for all, first we must find the inequality between

classes and get rid of it. When this deed is performed it would in essence

place everybody on the same level. This would place all people in an equality

of conditions, where all are in the same boat. The average person would be

faced with the same problems as the next. This is the type of “just” society

that I do not think should exist. It is absolutely unjust.

I have no doubt that when we recognize the differences between people, without

being envious of their talents and gifts, we may find things that we may learn

from. By doing this we not only make life more bearable by eliminating

ignorance, but learning to love differences Many of the problems today are

caused because people fail to see the glory in variance. This is the problem of

mis-education, or lack of it. Education is also part of justice. I believe

that all people (however unrealistic that this may be) whether rich or poor

should be placed with an equivalence of education. The dilemma I face when

making this statement is that it is contradictory to almost all that I have

previously stated. If people should not be on a personal state of justice, does

that include education? I can not answer this. I imagine that all people should

have the same opportunity to reach their peak or greatness, and also to stop the

breading of ignorance and individualism. Individualism places the interests of

the individual over the interests of the state or social group. The act of

individualists infringe upon another persons right to live in a peaceful, loving

environment, and with the basic rights that are deserved by human beings. I do

not think that it is just for children to grow up in an atmosphere of violence

and poverty, that is unjust. They should not be the target of starvation.

These situations exist because people place their selfish needs before the needs

of others. The Spiritual Justice , that may only be achieved by God, is the

ideal Justice in the world. I believe it to be untouchable by humans. God’s

ultimate justice is not affected by how you look, how smart you are, your rank,

class, or the amount of power that you have obtained. All that matters to God

is the integrity of your heart. The justice that God gives is the only true

justice that may be obtained. When obtained material possessions mean nothing

to you, the only thing that matters is your love for others. I do not believe it

possible under any standards that we may ever have a just world. It is against

human nature. Justice is a theme only God may accomplish. In my opinion I

believe that I try to be as fair, and just as possible to all people. I do not

make it my business to intimidate or discriminate against anybody based on a

prejudice. When with anybody I try to be as friendly and respectful as possible.

The problem with being too friendly is that a lot of the time people will take

advantage of you because of it. Indirectly however I might inflict harm upon a

person by not getting involved. To cite an instance, if an wrong towards an

individual is being performed, sometimes I feel that it is not my place to

interfere. That is an injustice.