When we read Plato’s Republic
we learned about Gyges and the ring he took. He killed the King, and he
also took his wife and kingdom. Gyges would have never had the courage to do
all of that in the first place if he didn't have the ring that made him
invisible to protect him. This series of unjust actions leads us to a question that
we were asked during class. What would we do if we were to have a ring
that made us invisible? Would we use it to do wrong, or continue to do the
right thing even though there is no one there to judge us?
For me, the first thing that came to mind when we were asked this was
to prank my mom, but would we only do childish things or would we do things
that we wouldn’t normally do if we were being watch by someone else. This is
where defining justice comes to place.
From my point of view, I see justice as doing the correct thing to
do without having the need of someone else's presence to do right. We must do
what is right whether there is someone else there to judge or not because in
the end we all have morals. Sometimes we might not put them into practice, but
they are there. Having no one there to see the wrong or unjust things we do
does not make those actions okay.
More than anything, when we are just with others we should not expect
anything in return because in the end it is the right thing to do. When we commit
injustice and aren’t caught, I don’t think that we would be at peace with
ourselves because we aren’t doing what we are ought to do. We gain things
without really earning them. In the end might not have to face the consequences
right away, but eventually we will have to face them.
I like your interpretation of what justice means. That it is doing the correct thing without the need for a reward. It should not be rewarded, not because it isn't the right thing to do, but because it is the expected thing to do.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly enough, when Dr. J asked what would be the first thing we would do with this ring, the first thing I thought of was using it to fight crime, like a superhero.
I agree with your sense of justice, and how you believe it to be as something that is morally good rather than lawfully good. I do disagree with the sentence that we won't be peace with ourselves for committing unjust actions. By your definition of justice, it can be a simple prank. Of course it harmful and you definitely get a laugh out of it if the person falls for it. I don't see any guilt associated with the act at all.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you are right. There would be no guilt for playing a prank on someone, but what if it's something bigger. For example, killing someone.
DeleteHey, I'm glad you understood where I'm coming from because I was having a hard time explaining what justice is for me.
ReplyDeleteSuperheros would make this world so much better. lol :)