Justice or Mercy

"With which concept would you align yourself more: justice or mercy, and why?"

I would be interested in responses from anyone and everyone.

I realize the question is vague, but it is intended as a thought-provoker.

The question is asking you to make a decision without circumstances.

The question is not asking for you to disregard the concept with which you do not align yourself as greatly.

For example, if I were to align myself more with the concept of justice, I am not implying that I do not find mercy important, and if I were to align myself more with the concept of mercy, I am not implying that I do not find justice important.

Originally posted by wittywonka
"With which concept would you align yourself more: justice or mercy, and why?"

I would be interested in responses from anyone and everyone.

I realize the question is vague, but it is intended as a thought-provoker.

The question [b]is asking you to make a decision without circumstances.

The question is not asking for you to disregard ...[text shortened]... myself more with the concept of mercy, I am not implying that I do not find justice important.[/b]

Interesting question.

However, it is a bit too vague as you say. We pretty much know what mercy is but what is justice? Is it fairness? If so, who is it "fairness" to? Is it fairness to all?

Perhaps justice is revenge or is it anything that makes us feel better about bad things whatever that may be?

For me, I value mercy highly within the judicial system because mercy is the only thing left that can save someone before the murderer fires the gun or the bomber hits the detonator. That's not to say that I think criminals all have the capacity for mercy but I do think the State and society in general should set the example, the role model if you will, for how we, as human beings, should behave. Having said that, mercy can't mean just letting people get away with things or letting people ignore their crimes.

However, ultimately, however vague, I guess the concept of justice must take precedence because mercy is a last resort and justice should, in my view at least,be ever present.

Originally posted by Wheely
Interesting question.

However, it is a bit too vague as you say. We pretty much know what mercy is but what is justice? Is it fairness? If so, who is it "fairness" to? Is it fairness to all?

Perhaps justice is revenge or is it anything that makes us feel better about bad things whatever that may be?

For me, I value mercy highly within the judicial ence because mercy is a last resort and justice should, in my view at least,be ever present.

Originally posted by Alcibiades
What is justice and what is mercy?
These are concepts which have different meanings for different people. Inevitably, and indeed trivially so, since they are but constructs of the human imagination in all its diversity.

Originally posted by wittywonka
"With which concept would you align yourself more: justice or mercy, and why?"

I would be interested in responses from anyone and everyone.

I realize the question is vague, but it is intended as a thought-provoker.

The question [b]is asking you to make a decision without circumstances.

The question is not asking for you to disregard ...[text shortened]... myself more with the concept of mercy, I am not implying that I do not find justice important.[/b]

Originally posted by Daemon Sin
Justice.

As a [b]generalisation; I believe people are accountable for their actions.[/b]

Interesting responses so far.

After I had left this thread for a while, I realized that I could have phrased the initial question much more simply. In other words, "In your opinion, which is more important, justice or mercy, and why?"

Also, several of you have asked how you would define "justice" and "mercy." I would agree, as you have said, that they have relative meanings for specific individuals, but you could still answer the question based upon your specific view of "justice" and "mercy."

If you really need something to go by, here are the definitions, according to Merriam Webster (online).

Mercy - "compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender..."

Justice - "the maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments..."

Originally posted by wittywonka
Interesting responses so far.

After I had left this thread for a while, I realized that I could have phrased the initial question much more simply. In other words, "In your opinion, which is more important, justice or mercy, and why?"

Also, several of you have asked how you would define "justice" and "mercy." I would agree, as you have said, that ...[text shortened]... ment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments..."

Originally posted by wittywonka
Interesting responses so far.

After I had left this thread for a while, I realized that I could have phrased the initial question much more simply. In other words, "In your opinion, which is more important, justice or mercy, and why?"

Also, several of you have asked how you would define "justice" and "mercy." I would agree, as you have said, that ment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments..."

Originally posted by Nemesio
Justice and mercy serve two different purposes. Justice is that which holds individuals accountable
for actions which violate the rights of other people. Mercy is that which the offended party may (or
may not) mete out to the offending party in an effort to aid in the healing process.

Mercy is generally a one-on-one sort of affair. Justice protects t ...[text shortened]... es will permit).

I do not see them as having a tremendous amount of interrelation.

Nemesio

Originally posted by wittywonka
"With which concept would you align yourself more: justice or mercy, and why?"

I would be interested in responses from anyone and everyone.

I realize the question is vague, but it is intended as a thought-provoker.

The question [b]is asking you to make a decision without circumstances.

The question is not asking for you to disregard ...[text shortened]... myself more with the concept of mercy, I am not implying that I do not find justice important.[/b]

Originally posted by wittywonka
A diplomatic resonse 😉, but it was interesting. Thanks for replying.

Originally posted by wittywonka
"With which concept would you align yourself more: justice or mercy, and why?"

I would be interested in responses from anyone and everyone.

I realize the question is vague, but it is intended as a thought-provoker.

The question [b]is asking you to make a decision without circumstances.

The question is not asking for you to disregard ...[text shortened]... myself more with the concept of mercy, I am not implying that I do not find justice important.[/b]

Originally posted by SpastiGov
Interesting question mr chocolate man.

But justice must always come before mercy because, in a perfect world, it is important to assess a person's guilt (or innocence) within a framework of laws and circumstances and THEN to determine his worthiness for mercy. How can you bestow mercy before knowing a person's guilt or culpability of a crime or offence? ...[text shortened]... instead of justice regardless of the circumstances, so one must surely come before the other.