A conversation between a student and a teacher at Albuquerque Academy.
Excerpts:
The Teacher: Hugh Himwich
Justice is the fundamental right of all human beings to have the same opportunity to lead a fulfilling life. This right does not exist in nature. It exists only by the creative act of my choice. It is natural justice in the sense that it is not created ex nihilo, but based upon all that it is to be human. Once again, you are free to choose against this, but only at the cost of your humanity. It is never a question of knowing whether your choice is right -- it is a question only of what kind of world you choose to live in.
The Student: Jordan Fleischer
We have agreed that there is no objective standard by which one can decide whether any action or choice can be said to be just, which is exactly why it seems foolish of us to go ahead and define justice as we have. It is essential to remember that justice itself is only an experience. If someone makes a choice based on the parameters you have provided, they will indeed experience an act as if it is just. However, when it comes to determining if there is any truth behind that experience, there is simply no way to know. It reminds me of the phenomenon of color; it exists in our consciousness as something undeniably real, yet, the truth is that color is simply created by our brain and truly only exists as waves of light. No one can say what the truth is about justice.
The Invitation: Join the conversation by sending your
thoughts on justice to Jordan Fleischer ([email protected]) or Mr. Himwich
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