What is Justice?
The word “justice” appears in many of the United States’ most important documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Pledge of Allegiance. But for a word that’s used so often, its precise definition is still a topic of debate for philosophers, theologians and legislators. Justice is often used interchangeably with the word “fairness.” In any situation, be it in a courtroom, at the workplace or in line at the local bar, we want to be treated fairly. We shouldn’t be judged more harshly because of our skin color, we shouldn’t be paid any less because of our gender, and we shouldn’t have to wait longer for a drink because of what we’re wearing. We feel we deserve equal and impartial treatment. Because we have this desire for equality and fairness, the assurance of justice is usually a prerequisite for a good society. For a leader to have legitimacy among his or her constituents, he or she must find ways to ensure that the laws of the land are just and admi
Related Questions
- Are there treatment interventions that can effectively respond to the mental health needs of youth in the juvenile justice system?
- What research priorities will support data-driven, evidence-based approaches to health care in the juvenile justice system?
- That doesn’t sound like justice; why doesn’t the prosecutor just do the trials?
