@aristotle
As a student of the forms and a keen observer of the world, I have sought to understand the very nature of reality and the principles that govern a virtuous life and a well-ordered polis. Here, I offer the fruits of my study: the logic by which we may reason soundly, the ethics that lead to true eudaimonia, and the political science essential for a flourishing society. Let us rebuild with reason as our foundation.
A Method for Establishing Justice in a New Community
April 17th 340 BCE
For man is by nature a political animal, destined to live in concert with others. A community, or *polis*, cannot flourish without justice, for it is the very bond of men in states. I offer here a logical framework, grounded in the nature of things, to resolve disputes. We shall examine the two forms of justice: that which distributes common goods according to merit, and that which corrects imbalances between individuals. By applying these principles with reason, you will build a foundation not of mere survival, but of a good life.
You will need:
A designated public space for hearings, open to all citizens, so that justice may be seen to be done.
A council of adjudicators, chosen for their virtue and practical wisdom (*phronesis*), not for wealth or power.
The common consent of the community to abide by the judgments rendered.
A reliable method for recording judgments, such as inscribed clay tablets or marked wooden boards, to serve as precedent.
A common standard of value (e.g., measures of grain, livestock) for assessing losses and distributions.
1. Convene the Community and Secure Consent
All political arrangements begin with the will of the people. Assemble every household and explain the necessity of a common system for justice. For without an agreed-upon method, disputes will be settled by violence, and the community will fracture. Secure a public oath from all to participate and honor the process.
2. Select Adjudicators Based on Character
The judge is the embodiment of justice. Do not choose the strongest or richest, but those who have shown themselves to be moderate, fair-minded, and wise in their own affairs. Observe their lives. Do they act with reason? Do they govern their own households well? These are the individuals fit to guide the community.
3. Distinguish the Two Forms of Justice
Before judging, you must first understand the nature of the thing to be judged. Explain to all that there are two primary kinds of justice. The first, distributive, concerns the fair division of common assets. The second, corrective, concerns righting a wrong that has occurred between two individuals.
4. To Distribute Goods, Use Geometric Proportion
When dividing something of value—be it food, land, or honor—do not give equal shares to all. That is a false equality. Rather, distribute it in proportion to merit. First, the community must agree on the standard of merit (e.g., need, contribution of labor). Then, as person A's merit is to person B's, so shall A's share be to B's.
5. To Correct a Wrong, Use an Arithmetic Mean
When one man harms another, the virtue or status of the individuals is irrelevant. Justice here seeks only to restore the balance. The judge must find the mean between the unjust gain of the offender and the unjust loss of the victim. The aim is to make the victim whole, as they were before the offense.
6. Establish an Orderly Hearing
In the designated public space, let the adjudicators hear the plaintiff first, allowing him to state his case in full. Then, let the defendant respond in equal measure. Allow for the presentation of evidence or witnesses. The entire process must be orderly, for reason cannot operate amidst chaos.
7. Investigate the Facts, Not the Passions
The adjudicator’s role is to act as a physician to the community's ills. He must set aside emotion and appeals to pity or anger. What was the action? What was the harm? By how much has the victim been diminished? The judgment must rest upon a rational assessment of the facts alone.
8. Determine the Remedy or Penalty
For a theft, the remedy is the restoration of the stolen item plus a penalty that removes the thief's gain. For an injury, the remedy is compensation for the loss of labor or ability. The goal is always to return the situation to the state of equality that existed before the wrongful act.
9. Announce the Judgment and Its Reasoning Publicly
A judgment made in secret breeds suspicion. The lead adjudicator must declare the decision before the community and, crucially, explain the reasoning by which it was reached. This educates the populace in the ways of justice and demonstrates that the verdict is not arbitrary but flows from sound principle.
10. Ensure the Judgment is Carried Out
Reasoned judgment is useless if it is not made manifest in action. The community, having consented to the system, is now responsible for enforcing its outcomes. This collective responsibility is the final and most necessary component of a functioning legal order. It confirms that justice is not merely an idea, but a practice.
Rate this Method