Perceptions of Justice

 Perceptions of Justice

By Janpha Thadphoothon

From the onset, I would like to let the reader know that I am not a legal expert nor a lawyer. I am an English teacher—call me a citizen if you wish. Like many, I have been wondering about justice and social justice, as well as what is just and who has the right to make judgments.

One may wonder what is just and what is unjust. This question has puzzled philosophers, theologians, and ordinary people alike for centuries. Is the power to judge derived from the divine? Many traditions hold that judgment belongs to the gods, as humans are imperfect and prone to error. The idea is that only a higher power, free from human fallibility, can render true justice.

On the other hand, there is the notion that justice is a product of human consensus. In this view, the power to judge is vested in the people. This idea is often linked to the concept of democracy, where the collective will of the populace shapes the laws and, by extension, what is considered just. Yet, even within this framework, there are questions of fairness, bias, and the potential for the majority to impose its will on minorities.

Philosophers have also discussed the concept of the social contract, where justice arises from agreements among people. This idea, popularized by thinkers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, suggests that justice is not a natural phenomenon but a social construct—a set of rules agreed upon by individuals to ensure mutual benefit. According to this view, justice is inherently social, contingent on the collective decisions of human beings.

However, these concepts are not without their complexities. The idea that justice is impartial and objective is often more of an ideal than a reality. People say that impartiality is a cornerstone of justice, yet human judgment is invariably influenced by personal experiences, cultural backgrounds, and societal norms. Tradition has it that the scales of justice are balanced, but in practice, they can be tipped by power, privilege, and prejudice.

Can Justice Be Individualistic?

One cannot help but wonder about the personal perception of justice. Each of us, shaped by our unique experiences, beliefs, and values, forms our own understanding of what is just or unjust. A person may perceive an event or situation as unfair or equitable based on their perspective, leading to the question: Can an individual be right about their perception of justice?

At its core, justice is often viewed as a collective concept, rooted in societal norms and legal frameworks. It is designed to ensure fairness and equality within a community or society. However, individual perceptions of justice can differ significantly from these collective standards. What one person sees as just, another might see as profoundly unjust. This divergence raises the question of whether justice can be truly individualistic.

On one hand, personal perceptions of justice are valid in the sense that they reflect an individual's moral compass and personal experiences. If someone feels wronged, that feeling is real and legitimate to them, regardless of whether it aligns with broader societal norms. For instance, a person who believes they have been discriminated against may perceive this as an injustice, even if the law does not recognize it as such. This highlights the subjective nature of justice on an individual level.

However, justice as a social construct often requires a degree of objectivity and impartiality that transcends personal feelings. For justice to function within a society, it must be guided by common principles and laws that apply equally to all individuals. If justice were purely individualistic, it could lead to chaos, as conflicting perceptions would make it difficult to establish a shared understanding of what is right or wrong.

Writing about just and justice is not an easy task. What is just is often a reflection of the society that defines it. Humans, as Protagoras famously stated, are the measure of all things. Justice, therefore, is not a universal constant but a variable shaped by human understanding, agreements, and, sometimes, conflicts. It is a concept that evolves with time and context, reflecting the ever-changing dynamics of human society.

About the author

Janpha Thadphoothon is an assistant professor of English Language Teaching (ELT) at the International College, Dhurakij Pundit University in Bangkok, Thailand. He holds a certificate in Generative AI with Large Language Models issued by DeepLearning.AI. His research interests include the intersection of language, technology, and the philosophies underpinning social structures.

Please cite as:

Thadphoothon, J. (2024). Perceptions of Justice. JT Blog. Available on line at https://janpha.blogspot.com/2024/08/perceptions-of-justice.html