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.
|