Justice or Mercy?

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   EsmeSanBonaposted 12 years ago

   I am a huge fan of Jungian psychology and enjoy the Meyers-Brigg personality test based upon its theories. 
   
   However, there is one question on the test that I never know how to answer.  In fact, I answer it differently every time I take it.  The one question isn't enough to make a difference in my type, but I never can figure out which answer I actually believe. 
   
   Here is the question and the way it is constructed:
   
   I value justice more than mercy.
   
   One is meant to answer yes or no to the question.
   
   I'm just wondering how other people feel about this question.  Which do you value more, justice or mercy? 
   
   As for me, I don't know.  Justice without mercy doesn't really seem like justice to me, but mercy with no justice just seems to be a way of saying there are no consequences for one's actions. 
   
   What say you?

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      bBereanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes or no: "I value justice more than mercy."
      
      To me it seems the question does not make clear, or even infer that it is an either / or proposition, only that one is valued more.  Justice and mercy are inextricably linked anytime judgement includes consideration of the severity of the infraction, intent, premeditation, and any other mitigating issues. 
      
      So in answering I would consider, with both still part of the equation, which should bear more weight.  When mercy is the default, it becomes expected, exploited and unappreciated.  When Justice is the default, people are much less likely to offend, fearing the consequence.  You see this even in parenting...if kids know there is no chance of accountability, they do as they please and don't appreciate the breaks they are given.  When they know they will be held accountable, they live up to the expectation and in the event there is a violation, appreciate the consideration when mercy is shown. 
      
      I have to go with justice, because with it as the default I believe you have the best chance of striking a well reasoned balance, maintaining order and having mercy appreciated. 
      
      Short version: Start with justice and you have the option of mercy.   Start with mercy and there will be no justice.

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         EsmeSanBonaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I like the short version very much.  It's similar to what I was told when going into management positions--always come in looking like a bad ass because you can always soften up later, but if you go in soft to begin with, there's no where to go when limits get tested. :-)

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            bBereanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            If you'll forgive the obscure Pink Floyd reference, "If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding, how can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat!"

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               EsmeSanBonaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I actually just posted that on my fb page a few days ago, LOL.

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      tammybarnetteposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      My answer would be yes, I value justice more than mercy...but, I thank God for the mercy

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         EsmeSanBonaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         +1

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      Emile Rposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Mercy over justice. Justice can be harsh and can teach people to be harsh. Mercy has more rewards to offer society, as a whole.

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         EsmeSanBonaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I actually agree with this to some degree but I don't know how much good mercy is without justice.  That's why this question disturbs me.

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   paradigmsearchposted 12 years ago

   The question is messing with ya.
   
   Mercy is a subset of justice.

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      EsmeSanBonaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree--it is messing with me.  I hate those questions that have no sliding scale thingy.  Mercy does seem to me to be a subset of justice.
      
      I think the point is to determine if one is a judging or perceiving person or in other words, if one is a rational or irrational type.
      
      I always have problems there.  My type is rationally irrational while being simultaneously irrationally rational--kind of like the hubber whose name I can't remember who describes herself as an "optimistic pessimist."  She says, "The glass is half full, but I'm not thirsty."  I love that.  I wish I could remember who that is.  (If it's you, let me know so I can follow you!)

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         paradigmsearchposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I am not a she. But I am cute and fuzzy. Alas, the quote is not mine.

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            EsmeSanBonaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I knew you weren't a she.  I did not, however, realize you were cute and fuzzy.

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   Disappearingheadposted 12 years ago

   It depends on whose definition of justice we are talking about. Selling a bit of weed in the UK will likely result with a slap on the wrist by the judicial system, but in Saudi Arabia it will result in a public beheading.
   
   Justice is about punishment to prove a point as much as anything else. Mercy is about trying to reconcile or redeem the person, to bring about a change in behaviour.
   
   Mercy gets my vote.

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      EsmeSanBonaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That is an interesting point you bring up and one I had not thought about.  The question doesn't really define either, does it? 
      
      How would you define justice?  How would you define mercy?
      
      For me, I guess when I think of justice and mercy I think more in terms of those acts that wrong others like murder or rape more so than crimes against society like selling weed or speeding.   I also think of things that aren't considered crimes but which are damaging--active betrayal of a friend, Machiavellian plots, etc. I also think of things that are accidents, like a car wreck that results in death, but where no one was drinking or drugging, or accidental shootings. 
      
      How is there justice for those things that aren't considered crimes?  Should people be held accountable for accidents?  When we speak of justice is that really what we mean or are we actually speaking of retribution?

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   ahorsebackposted 12 years ago

   I have long thought that most Americans have never been the victim of violent crime or they would believe in Justice over mercy !   Even our capital punishment  has fallen victim to mercy ,  essentially it takes about 22 years for one to be carried out .  Token punishment is the rule of the day , mercy is for week stomachs perhaps ! I say justice !

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      bBereanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Justice is a little swifter in Texas.

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      Disappearingheadposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      "Capital punishment has fallen victim to mercy"! priceless.

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   ahorsebackposted 12 years ago

   Apparently you disagree  Yes  justice has fallen victim to the perpetration of mercy ! Soft hearted liberal activist judges , defense atty's and juries . I've seen both sides of the issues  ,  There are people in this world who are just plain evil.   Is Mercy then the cure for the incurable ?  Doult it !  And you  would too if you were ever a victim of anything more than  someone stealing your watch in the locker room.   And when you become a true victim of evil ......let me know then how you feel !

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   brotheryochananposted 12 years ago

   Its the word justice that is confusing. Justice means to have passed a judgment. But to say justice, implies or not, a certain mercy could have been used to create true justice. If asked whether judgment or mercy.. many would pick mercy.
   
   i dislike all questionnaires because seldom do they make sense to me.
   
   would i like justice with mercy  yes or no
   would i like justice without mercy  yes or no
   
   but to choose one over the other, truly a quandary.

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      EsmeSanBonaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Well said!

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