Greek Justice

Apparently, then, injustice has the power, first, to make whatever it arises in — whether it is a city, a family, an army, or anything else — incapable of achieving anything as a unit because of the civil wars and differences it creates, and second, it makes that unit an enemy to itself and to what is in every way its opposite, namely, justice. (28)

Republic, Plato

        Since the beginnings of civilization, the concept of Justice has been debated and argued, defined and redefined, molded and reshaped time and again.  Wars and civil movements have begun because of conflicting definitions surrounding it.  Countless governments have been planned and molded around each society’s own interpretation of what it entails.  It is altogether necessary for a functioning body of people in any situation.  Given the enormous weight and import of justice, one might think a single, generalized explanation of the term would simplify virtually every aspect of modern life.  But, as is the case with most integral human issues, the number of variations on justice is nearly equal to the amount of those who prescribe to its doctrine.  Even in the reading of Pericles’ Funeral Speech and Sophocles’ Oedipus and Antigone (three texts by two authors from the same time and culture), three separate views on justice are communicated.  

        Webb 2

        Of the three, Funeral Speech and Antigone share the most similarities in their approach to the issue.  The base of the issue (the simple form of the word) is where a majority of the unity lies.  In both texts, justice is looked upon as a verb, an action; a very tangible illustration of the term.  Certain works of the various subjects or characters embody what is just and right.  Lofty notions and vague ideas are pushed aside in favor of solid, concrete deeds and accomplishments.  It is when the authors begin to separate just actions from the ordinary or unjust that a rift appears between the two viewpoints.

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        In Pericles’ Funeral Speech, conduct of the just is everything purely patriotic.  He calls upon the people of Athens to be one minded in their pursuit of ultimate citizenship and a perfect state.  Since the circumstances under which he is delivering the speech (a eulogy for hundreds of killed Athenian soldiers) are less than auspicious, Pericles fronts the address with a thick glaze of shameless nationalism.  He tells the citizens of the characteristics that separate Athens from other countries.  For example, each Athenian, regardless of his social standing, has equal say in social issues as long as he remains useful, ...

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