7: Defining Justice

Alright, so last time we ended off with discussing whether evil actually exists. Regardless of how we define evil, though, arguments about why bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people abound.

It seems as though a perfectly just God wouldn’t allow such things to happen. Let’s take a moment to examine justice, though, shall we? This was a very interesting question in ancient Greece. In fact, Plato wrote an entire book devoted to the subject. Plato’s Republic eventually became the epitome of pre-Aristotelean philosophy, and is still considered one of the greatest and most essential works of philosophy ever written.

Within that book, justice is first defined as everyone getting what they deserve. This is the definition most people operate off of. By this definition, the problem of pain and injustice becomes very problematic. A just, powerful God would not allow good people to be dealt injustice and bad people to receive good things.

However, the book goes on for a considerably longer time. Throughout the argument, Plato, speaking through Socrates, brings about a new definition of justice. After another eight books of debate, the new definition is decided. The new definition of justice, given by Plato, is each man living as he should, “going about his own business.”

Now, this is a slightly unusual definition, but it makes more sense when compared to the other three major virtues of Plato, wisdom, temperance, and courage. In the individual man, justice is the virtue that unifies the other three.

This is not the avenue to debate that definition of justice (for those interested, feel free to read the Republic. It’s a very enlightening read and a fantastic introduction to the world of philosophy.), so we’re going to move on.

Now, let’s take a minute and discuss this principle of divine justice. Do bad things happen to good people? Yes. Do good things happen to bad people? Also yes. Now, if we discuss things on a purely mortal level, it doesn’t make sense. There seems to be no standard of cosmic justice. Things seem to be random. People die, others live, people prosper, others fall flat, and it all seems completely arbitrary, right?

Well, let’s take a step back. To the Christian, there’s a bit more to the justice system. It’s not just these 60-90 years on earth. While life doesn’t seem to be completely fair, and things really don’t make sense, things tend to fall together better when considering the possibility that this may not be all there is.

First, let’s look at one thing. Crime. Crime happens, good people get murdered, bad people get out of being prosecuted. This doesn’t seem fair at all. But the idea that a just God would prevent it completely removes the possibility of human free will. Now, the fact that humans have the freedom to choose is pretty much undeniable. I can choose what I want to have for breakfast, or I can choose what time I want to go to bed, and so on.

The next question, then, is obvious. Why would a just God give free will if he knew that humans would abuse it (part of the all-knowing part)? Well, it comes from the definition of love (which will be elaborated upon later, or can be introduced here). Basically, though, the Christian idea of love is an act of the will. A robot cannot love. God gave humans free will to give them the capacity to love (again, this is a topic that will be covered in depth later).

Okay, so that explains the human element of why it’s possible. But what about things that humans don’t control? Things such as natural disasters and disease? And what about the justice after the humans make their choices? These topics will be discussed next time.