The Definition Of Justice?

[Laro]

What IS justice? Is mercy justified? I have been wondering about this for as long as I can remember and I want to know if I'm the only one or not. If I am, I would appreceate a brief (or not) explanation. If not, than we are all free to think about it and discuss our ideas.

When choosing between justice and mercy, I choose mercy. Both are essential, that's what people say, but I can't see how.
Justice is different in every part of the world while mercy remains the same. It's act of forgiveness and reconsideration, giving someone another chance. Unfortunetly sometimes, those chances often get wasted and mistakes are repeated. When I think of justice I tend to think of law, police and most importantly - no second chances. I think that if justice and mercy were people, they wouldn't approve of each other's actions... Or would they be excellent allies? Getting rid of evil in the world, is that the only role of justice or is there more goodness to it than that?

 

[Oblivion_XIII]

It depends how you view justice and mercy
Some view justice as the law, others view it as paying for what you have done (like me)

Mercy, for example- if you are mugged, the mugger stops before he kills you

 

[eye of the divine]

what about the concept of merciful justice?

Most people are punished for their crimes but after that punishment is over they are given a secound chance to re introduce themselves into society are they not?

To me that seems fair and I personally think that most criminals aren't given that opertunity and have to go back to crime. For example it is difficult to get a job once you have a criminal record so to support themselves they can try to survive off government hand outs or commit more crimes.

Personally I am of the belief that if people want a lower rate of re-offences then there should be a system in place so they can get jobs and support themselves.

 

[GBJoker]

As far as I've seen, justice is simply revenge. Whether direct or indirect. Personally, I prefer indirect. Psychological warfare is my weapon of justice.

As for mercy being that you give some random person(s) a second chance; they already had a first chance.----NOW, say it was for sure a complete and total accident, then, sure, go easy and all that nice stuff. Giving some one who intentionally did some "bad" thing doesn't deserve mercy.

But anyways... Obviously, justice is completely decided by who ever is in control of the new situation or who the "victim" was/is. Best example is killing a cashier at 7Eleven, versus killing a politician. That's not justice. That's pure bloody revenge.

 

[Madaraki]

Personally I see Justice as restoring balance to a situation.

In a sense, I guess one could argue that even mercy and forgiveness might fit as such a thing is one person forgiving another of their crimes and thus putting them on equal footing once more. I will admit however; that even depends on what one views as "equal footing" or "balance".

I dunno; it's after midnight and my reasoning usually comes out odd at this time of night.