Justice

Definition:

“Justice” is the assignment of consequences proportional to an action.

Etymology:

The word “justice” originates from the Latin word “iustitia,” meaning “righteousness” or “equity,” which derives from “iustus,” meaning “just” or “fair.” The term entered Middle English via Old French “justice,” referring to the administration of law and the upholding of what is morally right.

Description:

Justice is an illusion. The idea of perfect justice, where an action receives an objectively fair consequence, is fundamentally flawed because it assumes we can measure actions, intentions, and consequences with absolute precision. The world is not fair, and the quest for perfect justice ignores the chaotic, unpredictable nature of life; it can’t be perfect.

At its core, justice is a subjective construct, shaped by culture, personal beliefs, emotions, and agendas. What one person sees as a fair punishment or reward, another may see as a travesty. This subjectivity makes justice inherently unreliable. The majority, often driven by emotion rather than logic, demand swift consequences—calling it justice—when it’s often just retaliation or the desire for control.

The illusion of justice creates dangerous systems. Courts rely on imperfect evidence. Laws often reflect the biases of those who create them. People assume that punishment corrects wrongs, but it often perpetuates harm instead. Even rewards labeled as “justice” for good deeds can be unbalanced, favoring those with privilege or opportunity over genuine merit.

By clinging to the fantasy of justice, society resists the nature of what exists of an inherently unfair world. Instead of adapting to this nature of what exists, we waste energy creating systems that pretend to balance the scales, systems that only further entrench inequality and subjective judgment.

In the end, justice, as humans perceive it, is less about fairness and more about the want to believe the universe can be controlled and ordered. It seems like a comforting lie in a chaotic world. Recognizing its impossibility is a step toward living with the world as it is, instead of forcing it into the framework of an unattainable ideal.

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Religion:

Religions often depict divine justice as flawless, encouraging human justice systems to emulate it and implying that absolute fairness is achievable. This belief can make followers overly confident in flawed legal systems, assuming they are divinely inspired. Many teachings also emphasize that God’s justice ensures everyone receives what they deserve, either in life or after death. As a result, followers may interpret misfortune as just punishment and success as divine reward, fostering assumptions that discourage empathy and perpetuate systemic inequality. For example:

• In the Bible, in Leviticus 24:17-20, it says: “An eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.” This has historically justified harsh, retributive justice systems.
• In the Quran, in Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:38), it says: “As to the thief, cut off his hand: a punishment by way of an example, from Allah.” This verse has been interpreted to mandate strict, punitive measures under Sharia law.

The Bible frequently presents justice as being directly administered by God, portraying Him as perfectly fair and righteous:

• In the Bible, in Galatians 6:7, it says: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” This verse suggests a universal law of cause and effect, reinforcing the idea that people inherently deserve their outcomes—good or bad. It promotes the belief that justice is not only possible but inevitable.
• In the Bible, in Deuteronomy 32:4, it says: “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.” By claiming God’s justice is flawless, this verse implies that human justice systems, modeled on divine justice, can also strive for perfection.

The Quran emphasizes God’s role as the ultimate arbiter of justice:

• In the Quran, in Surah Al-An’am (6:115), it says: “And the word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can change His words, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” This verse reinforces the idea of divine justice as absolute and unchangeable, promoting the belief that God’s justice is infallible and that human systems must reflect His principles.
• In the Quran, in Surah Az-Zumar (39:70), it says: “And every soul will be fully compensated [for] what it did. And He is most knowing of what they do.” This fosters the belief that everyone gets exactly what they deserve, absolving individuals of questioning systemic injustices since divine justice will ultimately prevail.

The Book of Mormon strongly emphasizes the interplay between justice and mercy but maintains that divine justice cannot be circumvented:

• In the Book of Mormon, in 2 Nephi 2:10, it says: “The ends of the law… bringeth about justice; and the ends of the atonement… bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead.” This connects earthly justice to an eternal framework, implying that divine justice is perfect and inexorable.
• In the Book of Mormon, in Alma 42:24, it says: “Justice exerciseth all his demands.” This portrays justice as a relentless force, leaving no room for error or oversight, reinforcing the idea that outcomes in life are deserved and divinely preordained.

Hindu philosophy links justice with karma, the cosmic principle that actions inevitably bring corresponding consequences:

• In Bhagavad Gita 4.17, it says: “The intricacies of karma are very hard to understand. Therefore, one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction is.” This creates a framework where every individual’s fate is seen as justified by their past actions, perpetuating the belief that misfortune or success is always deserved.
• In Manusmriti (Laws of Manu), the ancient Hindu legal text describes a divine order of justice, emphasizing rigid roles and consequences tied to caste and behavior, leading to the belief that human justice systems must reflect cosmic justice.

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