Samuraiz Loc: Central Florida

A lesson in a law class

One morning, when our new teacher of "Introduction to the Rights" entered the classroom, the first thing he did was to ask the name of a student seated on the front bench:
“What is your name?”
“My name is Juan, Sir.”
“Leave the classroom immediately and I don't want to ever see you in my class!” screamed the teacher.
Juan was bewildered but,when he got hold of his senses, he got up quickly, collected his belongings and left the classroom.
All were scared and angry but none did or said anything.
“Well…”, said the new teacher, “whom do the enacted Laws serve?”
We were all afraid but slowly gained confidence and began to answer his questions.
“So that there is order in society”.
“No!” the teacher responded.
“To accomplish them."
“No!”
“So that the people who wrong others pay for their actions?”
“No! Does nobody here know the answer to this question?"
“So that there is justice”, a girl said timidly.
“At last! That’s it... so that there is justice! And now, what is the use of justice?”
All began to feel uneasy with such a rude attitude but followed on answering:
“To safeguard human rights...”
“Well, what more?” asked the teacher.
“To differentiate right from wrong... to reward the good...!”
“Ok... not bad, however,... answer this: Did I act rightly when expelling Juan from the classroom earlier…?”
All were quiet, nobody answered.
“I want a decisive and unanimous answer!”
“No!" we all replied in unison.
“Would you say I committed injustice?”
“Yes!”
“And why did nobody do or say anything about that then? Why do we have or need Laws and Rules if we don't have the will needed to practice them? Each and every one of you has the obligation to complain when you witness injustice. Remember, each and every one of you! Do not stay quiet… never again! Now, go and call Juan back,” he said staring at me.
That day, I received the most practical lesson ever in my entire Law course.
When we don't defend our Rights, we lose our dignity… and dignity is never negotiable!

battgrafix Loc: Central KY

Very good point!!!!

tradergeorge Loc: Newport, Kentucky

I am reasonably sure you are aware of the online course conducted at Harvard called "Justice" with Dr Michael Sandel. He goes deeply into this very subject (for about 12 hours)....I highly recommend it It taught me many things, not the least of which was the concept you illustrated here....Cheers :-)

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

One can only imagine James Holmes in that crowded Aurora, CO movie theater had the entire audience risen up and rushed him onstage, instead of waiting for the cops!

Kombiguy Loc: Cedar Rapids, IA

In one of my classes at law school one student brought up the notion of justice. The professor suggested that if she were interested in justice, she should go to the philosophy department. However, if she were interested in the law, to stay in law school.
I agree with his point. Law and justice are different subjects, and different ideas. Sometimes, if we are lucky, they coincide. Not often, though.

battgrafix Loc: Central KY

No Doubt

Shutterbox60 Loc: Calif. USA

We use laws to establish guide lines for justice. If not, then laws and justice are pure Bull Sh*t.

Kombiguy Loc: Cedar Rapids, IA

No, we establish laws to allow us to live together reasonably well. Justice, if it happens at all, is an incidental byproduct.

Speed limits, for example, are laws; but they have absolutely no relation to justice. Nor do laws about abalone fishing, or abbatoir location.

Shutterbox60 Loc: Calif. USA

Justice is served when you pay the speeding ticket.

user47602 Loc: ip 304.0.0.33.32

In other news...

Juan came back 2 days later with two StG 44's and blew away half his class along with the professor... before yelling "Justice for All!" and turning a weapon on himself.

Kombiguy Loc: Cedar Rapids, IA

Well, I suppose first of all, like Marcus Aurelius taught us, we must know what a thing is. So, what is justice?