Statue of Justice

When I taught classes in ‘The Philosophy of Law’ at Hillsdale in the US, I once drew a picture of the Statue of Justice on the chalk board. It was a cartoon version, not nearly as good as the one I attach to this post. However, it did have the basic essentials. She looked very good in her sunglasses, and had an American football in her right hand and a baseball bat in her left hand.

“Now,” I asked the class, “Is there anything not quite right about this statue?” A lively class discussion followed. One student volunteered that she should not be wearing sun glasses because the Statue of Justice is normally depicted blindfold. “Why?” I asked.

Another student replied that she is blindfold because she doesn’t see the criminal. Whether it’s a duke or a dustman, a billionaire or a janitor, makes no difference to the law. It takes its course regardless.

 A student pointed out that she should be holding a set of scales rather than an American football. “Why?” Because she weighs out the evidence dispassionately. Is it enough to convince a jury beyond any reasonable doubt?That’s why she carries the scales.

“What about the baseball bat?” asked one. “Shouldn’t it be a sword?” “Correct,” I replied, “She’s not playing games.”

“Why a sword?” Because justice has to be enforced. Instead of taking private vengeance, we entrust the judiciary to execute justice on our behalf. We give it a monopoly of legal violence to carry out justice dispassionately.

But what happens when the state blatantly fails to administer justice fairly and properly? That led to a further lively discussion, and the opening scene of the movie ‘The Godfather’ came under discussion.

Madsen Pirie