“S.O.S.” as used here stands for Save OurselveS! I learned of an interesting connection between violence and abuse toward refugees with the Global Climate Crisis. [size=85]{It has to do with the ravages left behind when empire-builders from the power elite in the U.S.A. went into Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala …as well as with the human attack on the planet’s atmosphere, euphemistically-known as “climate change.”}[/size]
Many of us are aware of the extreme weather conditions such climate changes cause. I believe we need to save ourselves from something equally dangerous to our well- being. That is our propensity to resort to violence. Our first response often is to strike out. And we learn at a very early age: “If anyone bothers you, or annoys you, get even!” There will be no peace as long as we continue to think that violence solves anything. We are aware that peace without justice is no peace at all. Thus we need to have a clear understanding of justice.
UNDERSTANDING CLEARLY WHAT JUSTICE IS
Every person, from the most primitive to the most sophisticated, has a need for justice. “Justice” means “restoring the balance.” We innately sense when things are out of balance and we feel a need to set it right, to see the balance restored. However, the problem is that we have been settling for the lowest form of justice instead of aiming for the highest form as our goal. Most everyone of us has a warped sense of justice. This calls for an analysis.
The Science of Value tells us that there are at least three major dimensions of value: restricted; unlimited; and uncountable-and-priceless value. The scientists in this field speak of the restricted value as “S-Value.” They call the unlimited “E-Value.” And they refer to the super-special, the priceless value as “I-Value.” (These letters, S, E, I, stand for technical terms within the science that I will not burden you with here.)
The important fact to note is that these values form a spectrum with S-Value worth the least – as values go – with E-Value of a higher degree worth more; and with I-Value (Intrinsic Value) worth the most. Intrinsic Value is the most valuable among values. Each of these dimensions can be applied to various topics and fields of interest. …But below all these dimensions lie the values worth so little they are practically of zero worth. These are the Fragmentary values. When these are applied to Justice, what do we find? The result is: Vengeance; Retribution; Payback; ‘Getting even.’ Let’s see what results when the major dimensions are applied to the topic of justice.
The S-Value of justice is the notion of fairness, that everyone is treated the same by the justice system; “everyone gets his day in court”, etc.
The E-Value of justice is equity. Here belongs compensation; and also the consideration of individual circumstances, which a judge takes into account.
The I-Value of justice provides us with the “three R’s”: Rehabilitation; Redemption; and Reconciliation. These are the highest forms of justice. These give us the most value in return for our efforts. These truly restore the balance.
The main point to keep in mind is that it is a distorted sense of justice to seek the fragmentary, fractional value of revenge and “getting even” rather than aiming for the best justice which means one or more of the three Rs.
That is why we need to send out an S.O.S. call. We need to save ourselves from a propensity to commit violence. As Dr. Martin Luther King pointed out, “An eye for an eye soon leaves everyone blind.” Vengeance is a gyp! We get virtually no value in return when we settle for the lowest form of justice. We are cheating ourselves. Let’s stop it by aiming for the super special value, the Intrinsic Value, the high return, the reconciliation which leads to peace.
Let’s seek and find common ground. Let’s find something we can build on, both with our friends and with those we consider to be aggressors, and those we label as enemies. Let’s aim for real peace not merely an armistice or cease-fire, a lull before the next war.
True peace is serenity. It is stability, harmony and justice. Let’s work for a just world, employing nonviolent methods of operation. Peace will be what results. You can bet on it!
What say you?