Of Justice and Societal Development

By Dr Jonathan Isibor.

What attracts my attention this week is the much talked about the concept of “JUSTICE”. This topic, in its various forms, has been accorded center stage and hotly debated at several world summits or conferences, although all that it stands for is little put to practice. I care to wonder oftentimes if the historic and symbolic ‘balance’ still remains un-skewed in human judgments, especially in religious and political circles. Jim Reeves, the legendary country music exponent also wondered if there was justice anymore in this world! Is justice a human concept established for the aristocrats, or the down-trodden in society? Is it a racially motivated concept, or has it a gender bias or is it meant for the convenience and safety of all persons across board? Is justice for all a realizable dream for all citizens of the world?

The idea of justice, both cosmic and human, played a part in Greek philosophy and religion. The various definitions of justice have come mainly from philosophers, lawyers, theologians and political scientists. Anaximander, the Greek philosopher, conceived of the four elements – earth, fire, water and air as obeying the law of justice by not overstepping their bounds. Plato and Aristotle thought that each thing or person has its or his proper sphere, to overlap, which is unjust. Bentham and the utilitarians interpret “justice” as “equality”. They believe that when two men’s interests clash, the right cause becomes that which produces the greatest total of happiness, regardless of which of the two enjoys it, or how it is shared among them.

In Meister Eckart’s conception, two main aspects of justice can be distinguished; the active and the passive. In its active form, the essence of justice lies in allotting everyone his due. By this theory, it follows that God is given His due, the Angels and Saints their due and every man his due. As to its passive aspect, justice demands that we accept everything from God with humility and fortitude – that is – detachment from material bias or the spirit of equanimity in which whatever is God-sent is accepted. To Eckart, this is the attitude a mystic must assume in his path to God.

Whatever the definitions, the principle of justice implies a measure of fair play, truth and happiness for everyone. Justice ensures that the rights of an individual are preserved. The peace of society depends on justice, the happiness of individuals on the safe enjoyment of all their possessions.

Let us now consider justice as it finds expression in some fundamental doctrines of mysticism. Right from creation, universal justice and equity had been integrated into cosmic scheme for every being. Such natural justice is exemplified by the law of Compensation or Retribution or what in mystical parlance is referred to as the LAW OF KARMA. Karma is simply a carrying over of the basic physical law of cause and effect into the personal, moral and spiritual realm. Simply put, it seems that good thoughts and actions attract commensurate rewards, while evil actions and thoughts ultimately attract appropriate sorrow and suffering in those who express them. Karma is divine justice in eternal operation; what a man sows, he will reap, if not in this life, then in a succeeding one.

Divine justice also finds expression in the doctrine of REINCARNATION, which proposes the possibility of successive lives for each person. During each earthly existence, more lessons and experiences are acquired and added to those of a previous life. We also express different personalities in different physical bodies. Since complete knowledge of life, however, can never be acquired in just one short life span, it is reasonable to believe that in accordance with DIVINE JUSTICE, final judgment cannot be passed on man on the basis of his incomplete experience in one life time, rather he is allowed as many opportunities as are necessary to bring complete understanding and knowledge. Thus it is left unto man to make all the necessary adjustments in life in order to be on the positive side of the fair and impartial justice of God.

Let me at this point draw a distinction between natural justice and conventional justice. It is never within the power of man to partially alter the course of natural justice. Natural justice is the bedrock of all virtues. In his mystical approach to living, man has to build a solid moral foundation in his quest for mastership through proper and just application of nature’s laws. While natural justice knows no international barriers, conventional justice in the hands of men varies from one locality to the other. Conventional justice is fashioned after the whims and caprices of those that govern, and could be miscarried. Consequently, what is injustice becomes ‘justice’ and what is justice turns out to be ‘injustice’! Let it be recognized, however, that ‘miscarried justice’in the hands of men has always remained the bane of any sane society and will always fan the ambers of ceaseless upheavals and inevitable wars!

 Perhaps we need to suffer some kind of injustice at the hands of others before we realize its evil and devastating effects! Every day, one hears reports of various forms of injustice being perpetuated the world over. People are deprived of their basic human rights, the right to feed comfortably, right to adequate shelter, the right to good living standards and comfortable environment, as well as the right to free movement. These deprivations would breed nothing but societal ills and anarchy. Man’s laws are not roundly just, and verdicts in our law courts can be manipulated by the wealthy, the powerful and the clever ones. Be that as it may, everyone should strive to allow justice rule his or her daily affairs not only in the law courts, but also in other fields of human endeavor.

We can enjoy prudent and just living by being fair to ourselves, members of our family and our neighbors. If we heed the ‘voice of justice’, we would not demand for any reward that we have not conscientiously merited, we would not embezzle public funds and we would not desire that anyone should suffer or be deprived of his or her rights for our own selfish ends. Do we really need lengthy conventions or debates by world leaders in order to realize these facts?

Sacred books are replete with admonishments meant to educate the mind of man about his social and moral responsibilities in life. In the Holy Bible, Master Jesus is quoted as saying, “And I tell you that if your justice does not give fuller measure than the justice of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.” In Luke, Chapter 6, verse 38, He said: “The measure you award to others is the measure that will be awarded to you” In Surat An – Nisan, 135 (that is, Qur’an 4: 135), it is related: “O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both”. Also, Sarat An – Nahl, 90 (that is, Qu’ran 16: 90) reads: “Allah commands justice, the doing of good and giving to kith and kin, and He forbids all rebellion: He instructs you, that Ye may receive admonition“

One of the rarest Oriental mystery books, “Unto Thee I Grant” , that deals with man’s passions, desires, weaknesses, sins, strengths, fortitudes, ambitions, and hopes admonishes man to “keep the desires of thy heart, therefore, within the bounds of moderation; let the hand of justice lead them aright. Cast not an evil eye on the goods of thy neighbor; let whatever is his property be sacred from thy touch. In thy dealings with men, be impartial and just, and do unto them as thou wouldst they should do unto thee”.

In concluding this discourse therefore, we need to be reminded to always allow our consciences guard us rightly, allow justice to prevail in all our actions irrespective of racial, tribal or personal prejudices, for the credit or discredit in all human judgment gets appropriate reward from the overriding karmic justice.

Dr. Jonathan Isibor is an Associate Professor of Microbiology at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State of Nigeria. He can be reached at: joe_isibor@yahoo.com