Justice

Justice

  • Submitted By: rodriro
  • Date Submitted: 11/09/2013 5:54 AM
  • Category: Philosophy
  • Words: 910
  • Page: 4
  • Views: 87

As citizens we adhere to the laws and are ruled by others in powerful positions who are employed with the burden of applying justice when weighing what makes a good man good and a bad man bad in the eyes of society. There are many ideas and interpretations of what justice means but in most cases it is fairness. It is the idea that people are treated fairly and equally. The reality is it is quite difficult to define justice when presented with a host of social issues such as race, social status, age, gender, religion and morals. We see this today in our courts as a jury seeks justice for a crime or an unjust act that has been committed. We also see this present in the two texts, the “Apology” and “Antigone.” I will now look to analyze the characteristics as presented in each and the outcome of whether we can honestly say justice had been achieved or not.
Socrates and Antigone both felt passionately of one’s divine rights and displayed selflessness and loyalty in their devotion to the gods and greater beings as opposed to those of state or man made law. Each stood steadfast in their beliefs and did not waiver even when faced with the ultimate punishment of death. In fact, it can be argued each was dealt a hand of injustice. Antigone was a princess from a royal family charged by her uncle Creon, the King, of breaking state law. She stood firmly by her beliefs and performed last burial rites for her brother, a traitor in the eyes of the city, regardless of the law. For her, it was unjust to not honor the laws of the gods. Antigone believed the gods would serve her righteously in the after life when she says “Even if I die in the act, that death will be glory.” (Antigone, 63).
Socrates, in Plato’s “Apology,” was left to defend himself against charges that he intentionally corrupted the youth and not believing in the gods. Plato makes it evident that Socrates is facing a challenge when he first addresses the 501 men of Athens, “I must surely defend myself...

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