...traditional natural law theorists. They saw natural law as the basic moral precepts that every civilized nation acknowledged. Many equated Natural Law with the Ten Commandments. Self preservation will decrease the interest to search for peace. Natural law command is suppose to be designed to search for peace and personal security. | | | Glaucon believes that justice is good solely as means but not in itself. Glaucon wants Socrates to prove to him how it can be good both as means and in itself. Glaucon says that no one is willingly just, but rather compelled to act justly caused by nature, while they try to better themselves, ultimately saying that the life of the unjust is also better. Glaucon’s argument contains three parts; justice being good in itself, purely as means, the third dealing with its goodness for both reasons. Glaucon says that justice is a mean between doing what is best; which is doing injustice without paying the penalty and suffering injustice without being able to avenge oneself. Therefore, justice is not cared for because it is good, however, it is honored due to a want of vigor in doing injustice. He makes a second point on why people are unwillingly just, saying that the only reason the just are just is because they follow the rules and are afraid of being caught. However, if such a person were invisible and free to do whatever he or she wished, then they too would...
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...George Hegel's Dialect of thesis, antithesis, synthesis, in order to expose social injustices in a microcosm of South Africa that correlate to the macrocosm of the issues faced by the entire country and what must be done to fix these injustices. Paton subdivided his story into three books. The first of these books, depicts the Journey of Stephen Kumalo, to try and restore his family, is a cry against injustice. The second book focused mainly on James Jarvis’s plight to understand his deceased son, depicts the yearning for justice. While the final book displays the restoration and repair of the injustices derived from the yearning for justice. The society of the small urban town called Ndotsheni, from which both Stephan and Author come, is based largely on the native African tribal system. This town also suffers from a drought that drives away the young men to work in the mines of Johannesburg. Johannesburg directly contradicts Ndotsheni with no tribal system and the brake down of the moral fibers of its people. Yet in Johannesburg there is also hope for the future and ideas that help lead to the restoration of Ndotsheni. During the time the story is set in Johannesburg the reader is introduced to two exceptionally different characters. The first is John Kumalo, the brother of Stephen Kumalo. He is a corrupt politician with the voice of a “lion,” but a week hart, who spoke about the injustices of the whites to the blacks and their need to revolt. The other an enlightened priest...
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...Justice is neither automatic nor inevitable; the attainment of justice typically entails the sacrifice and suffering of those attempting to achieve it. In essence justice is an ideal, which the majority of individuals universally attempt to realize or uphold, however due to the avarice or agendas, which serve the interests of minorities, this ideal is sometimes subverted. Those performing the miscarriage of justice can become unscrupulous in their methods of maintaining this standard of injustice in efforts of self-preservation. This often results in the suffering of those carrying out their quest for justice. This idea, and the concept that the miscarriage of justice can have long lasting and far reaching effects which can never be fully redressed are thoroughly explored in both the film The Constant Gardener and Ian McEwan’s Atonement, through a range of literary devices and film techniques we can fully understand the impacts of miscarriage of justice. When those that are intent on preventing the course of justice to further themselves, whether financially or otherwise, they may become unrestrained by moral boundaries, which may allow them the mental capability to disregard the wellbeing of other humans. This disregard for welfare of such a vast number of individuals is explored through both texts allowing us to see the way in which the attainment of justice goes hand in hand with human suffering and sacrifice, as those that are determined to subvert justice can be unscrupulous...
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...Martin Luther King Jr wrote a powerful letter from Birmingham regarding the great injustices present in society, which the black community faced every day. Although present in other communities it was worse for those who resided in Birmingham (King, 1963). Mr. King was asked to Birmingham in case there was a need to engage in a nonviolent direct action due to the injustices in Birmingham. These injustices included racism, inequality with blacks as they were unable to vote making it not really a democracy, the outrageous brutality taking place in Birmingham like the bombings and the burning of black homes and churches. King used his religious beliefs to support his actions in helping his black brother and sisters trying to right the injustices. He quoted St. Thomas Aquinas saying “an unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law”, he states that by helping out he is doing the right and just thing by his religion and the moral thing unlike what was happening in Birmingham. He goes on to say that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere because whatever affects one directly effects all indirectly which is how Birmingham was tied to all of the other communities in the south (King, 1963). King uses the four steps to nonviolent campaigns which were thee collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist, negotiation, self-purification, and direct action. King uses these steps in regards to his Christian ethics by stressing...
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...Plato’s Republic, Glaucon and Adeimantus challenge Socrates’ claim that justice belongs in the class of goods which are valued for their own sake as well as for the sake of what comes from them (Rep. 357 b- 358 a). Unconvinced by Socrates’ refutation of Thrasymachus, Glaucon renews Thrasymachus’ argument that the life of the unjust person is better than that of the just person. As part of his case, Glaucon states what he claims most people consider the nature of justice to be and what its origins are. He proceeds to present a version of the social contract theory: They say that to do injustice is naturally good and to suffer injustice bad, but that the badness of suffering it so far exceeds the goodness of doing it that those who have done and suffered injustice and tasted both, but who lack the power to do it and avoid suffering it, decide that it is profitable to come to an agreement with each other neither to do injustice nor to suffer it. As a result, they begin to make laws and covenants, and what the law commands they call lawful and just. This, they say, is the origin and essence of justice. It is intermediate between the best and the worst. The best is to do injustice without paying the penalty; the worst is to suffer it without being able to take revenge. Justice is a mean between these two extremes. People value it not because it is a good but because they are too weak to do injustice with impunity. Someone who has the power to do this, however, and is a...
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...In book 2 of Plato's Republic, Glaucon challenges Socrates to explain why he believes it is better to be just than unjust. Using the analogy of Ring of Gyges, Glaucon Socrates to explain why anyone should still desire justice even if there are no further ends to be pursued such as good reputation and honour. Socrates then offers a conception of justice which goes beyond the definitions offered by his previous interlocuters earlier on in the Republic. This essay will first aim to discuss in detail the challenge set forth by Glaucon followed by an analysis of Socrates' conception of justice with reference to his city-soul analogy. Glaucon claims, on behalf of the average Athenian, that justice is purely a social construction, valued by the masses in view of obtaining a good reputation for justice and virtue(358a). He claims that goods are of three kinds: (1)Goods valued only for what they are and not for their consequences, (2)goods valued for what they are and for their consequences, and (3) goods valued only for their consequences(357b-d). After the two agree on justice belonging to the goods of type-2, Glaucon proceeds to give an explanation of the majority's conception of justice by giving an account of its origins: Before any laws came to be...
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...path stretched from the state of Florida all the way to the coast of Texas and everywhere in between. Unfortunately the bulk of Katrina’s destruction was seen in the city of New Orleans. Katrina’s category five strength and power left the city completely under water and caused a total of at least 1,577 deaths due to flooding and around 81 billion dollars in property damage. From August 2005 to October 2005 the city of New Orleans was in a state of utter and total chaos. Some would have considered that the state of society in New Orleans was uncivilized and out of control. This chaos and craziness was due to the lack of essential resources for citizens to survive on a day-to-day base. The citizens of New Orleans were experiencing extreme conditions that included lack of shelter, clean water and, essential food to survive. These harsh conditions led to survival instinct taking over the citizens, which led to looting, theft, and in some cases murder. This chaos turned a once civilized city into a wild uncontrollable population. The chaos was too much for the NOPD to handle and caused several cases of questionable actions by the police force during the time of disorder. During this time of disorder and chaos several instances of police officers being shot and killed cause unrest and hatred toward the general population. Which in turn cause several cases of mistreatment and even murder of innocent civilians. The whole issue during this time of chaos was that the NOPD...
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...of the rewards and other consequences which they bring. Question: how are gymnastic exercises and the undergoing of medical treatment forms of money making? Socrates’ response to Glaucon: Amongst those which he, who would be blessed, must love both for their own sake and for their consequences. Glaucon to Socrates: That is not the opinion of most people. They place it in the troublesome class of good things, which must be pursued for the sake of the reward and the high place in public opinion which they bring, but which in themselves are irksome and to be avoided. Glaucon is renewing Thrasymachus’ argument: 1. I shall state what is said to be the nature and origin of justice. 2. I shall assert that all who practice it do so unwillingly, and that they do so not because justice is good but because it is indispensable. 3. That this conduct of theirs is reasonable; for the life of the unjust is far better than that of the just, according to...
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...“Revenge and Conflict Escalation” By: Sung Hee Kim and Richard H. Smith The article begins with three examples of interpersonal conflicts that escalated by vengeful behavior. The authors attempt to focus on understanding actual mechanisms that underlie the pattern of conflict escalation. The authors explain, “justice is a deep concern for most people.” It is human nature to want to be treated fairly. However, when expectations are not met, a sense of injustice can lead to patterns of retaliation. Vengeful acts by the person who is “wronged” are most likely to be out of portion to the original offense. Thus, revenge often leads to a destructive cycle of spiteful counter-responses from parties involved in a conflict. The tendency to desire and seek “justice” can be seen as a key motivator when people take revenge. Ironically, the harsh cycle that develops when people seek revenge is characterized by irrational and wrongful acts. The authors suggest that when explaining such extreme acts of revenge one possible reason can come from feelings of self-worth. When another diminishes one’s self-worth, they may use methods of revenge to restore it. In relation to one’s self-worth, another contributing factor can be the prevention of future unfair treatment. In order to gain respect, a person may retaliate in order to stop unfair acts they have received. Despite the underlying reasons that motivate revenge, many examples demonstrate that vengeance leads to conflict escalation...
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...Sexual violence against women has remained to be a pertinent issue for decades and has yet to obtain deserved justice. According to RAINN, Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, sexual violence is an all-encompassing term referring to violent crimes involving sexual abuse, rape, and sexual assault. Sexual assault can come in different forms such as physical, verbal, and/or visual acts each compels an individual to engage in a sexual act against their will or without affirmative consent. Since 1998, over 17,700, 000 women have reported a sexual assault. 1 out of every 6 American women have been a victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. With that, only 26% of victims will report to law enforcement agents. Furthermore, specifically,...
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...wars which was a purported response to a crisis of crack cocaine in the black ghettos. The war on drugs had a very devastating impact in the ghettos of the African American communities. Even with the election of Barack Obama, Alexander still feels that there was no triumph over race. In the second chapter titled ‘the lock down’, Alexander Michelle also talks about the legal misinterpretations. She clearly notes that due to the war on drugs, there is an inflow of people into the system of criminal justice. Despite the high influx of people, still there is not enough representation for all of them. Because of the case in Supreme Court Gideon vs. Wainwright, everyone including the poor have a right to legal representation. In many cases, a large number of people never have access to legal counsel or if they do are lucky enough to find one, usually the lawyers have a load of cases that getting time for their clients becomes a problem. In my opinion, this seems to be an extreme injustice to the people considering that without legal representation people are unable to rightly defend themselves. This eventually adds to the number of imprisoned people, and turns against the African American people who are...
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...with His chosen people, who, turned to other gods and rejected a relationship with Yahweh. This rejection of Yahweh turned Him away from His people and brought judgment upon them. The book of Hosea is written and based on Israel’s faithfulness. Hosea is especially creative in his use of metaphors to describe the relationship between Israel and God, but the two dominant ones are suggested in this verse. The primary one is Israel as a faithless wife, and the secondary one is Israel as a rebellious child (rebelling against God’s Law). Harlotry indicates sexual wantonness. If the person committing harlotry were married, it would suggest extreme faithlessness to his or her vows of marriage. In a spiritual covenant relationship with God, however, it indicates idolatry (Hosea 3: 1). Second, a need of repentance is seen from the people’s social injustice....
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...wars which was a purported response to a crisis of crack cocaine in the black ghettos. The war on drugs had a very devastating impact in the ghettos of the African American communities. Even with the election of Barack Obama, Alexander still feels that there was no triumph over race. In the second chapter titled ‘the lock down’, Alexander Michelle also talks about the legal misinterpretations. She clearly notes that due to the war on drugs, there is an inflow of people into the system of criminal justice. Despite the high influx of people, still there is not enough representation for all of them. Because of the case in Supreme Court Gideon vs. Wainwright, everyone including the poor have a right to legal representation. In many cases, a large number of people never have access to legal counsel or if they do are lucky enough to find one, usually the lawyers have a load of cases that getting time for their clients becomes a problem. In my opinion, this seems to be an extreme injustice to the people considering that without legal representation people are unable to rightly defend themselves. This eventually adds to the number of imprisoned people, and turns against the African American people who are...
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...prirent naissance les lois et les conventions, et l’on appela ce que prescrivait la loi légitime et juste. Voilà l’origine et l’essence de la justice : elle tient le milieu entre le plus grand bien – commettre impunément l’injustice – et le plus grand mal – la subir quand on est incapable de se venger. Entre ces deux extrêmes, la justice est aimée non comme un bien en soi, mais parce que l’impuissance de commettre l’injustice lui donne du prix. En effet, celui qui peut pratiquer cette dernière ne s’entendra jamais avec personne pour s’abstenir de la commettre ou de la subir, car il serait fou. Telle est donc, Socrate, la nature de la justice et telle son origine, selon l’opinion commune. Maintenant, que ceux qui la pratiquent agissent par impuissance de commettre l’injustice, c’est ce que nous sentirons particulièrement bien si nous faisons la supposition suivante. Donnons licence au juste et à l’injuste de faire ce qu’ils veulent ; suivons-les et regardons où, l’un et l’autre, les mène le désir. Nous prendrons le juste en flagrant délit de poursuivre le même but que l’injuste, poussé par le besoin de l’emporter sur les autres : c’est ce que recherche toute nature comme un bien, mais que, par loi et par force, on ramène au respect de l’égalité. (…) Tout homme, en effet, pense que l’injustice est individuellement plus profitable que la justice, et le pense avec raison d’après le partisan de cette doctrine. Car si quelqu’un recevait cette licence dont j’ai parlé, et ne...
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...The hardships of fighting against injustice articulated by Martin Luther King Jr. in "Letter from a Birmingham Prison" are accentuated by the moral narrative of Shirley Jackson's story "The Lottery". Namely, the thematic correlation of the townspeople in "The Lottery" and the silent sympathizers addressed in "Letter to Birmingham Prison", both of whom practice adherence to the status quo even when questioning the legitimacy of the practice. Additionally, King's strong moral resolve is sharply contrasted by the weak resolve of the townspeople depicted by Jackson. Reading "The Lottery" strengthens the impact of King's words and portrays his detractors in the negative light. The way these writings compliment each other shows the tendency people...
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