Tip Well

We looked at three kinds of justice. Distributive is the kind of justice where a group has a claim to something common to all. There are situations between two people that need to be rectified at times. This is where rectification comes in. People make contracts and have laws to make this as clear as possible; black and white. A mediator will correct things if there is an injustice. There is also a form of justice that brings people together. It is the basis for freedom; justice by reciprocation.

There are times when a service is more valuable than a simple one to one transaction can rectify. A doctor will get paid more for his service than a janitor. Everyone should do his job to the best of his ability to have good character. But we all know that the doctor, due to his commitment to our health and well-being, should get paid more. Allowing individuals to make these judgment calls is what defines freedom. If this doctor sees someone who cannot afford his services, he can use discretion and give that person a break. All good people want to have the ability to do this sort of thing and help others out. Freedom is needed to reward those who excel. It motivates them to do better and allows us to appreciate quality. And the contrary, there should be freedom to pay less and help less, those who take advantage of us. 

Rectification is black and white, but is also legalistic. It reminds me of an arranged marriage. There are those who think they know what is best for us and want to rule our lives. But to have real love, one must have the ability to reject or accept another person. This takes more time and has winners and losers, but it is worth it since there is freedom where there is a choice. True justice cannot be confined to laws in the same way that love cannot be confined to a marriage license. Laws are borders: The landscape belongs to choice and a free will.

There is a difference between legalistic justice and grace. With grace we can release a debt or give a lavish reward for a job well done. Reciprocation gives room for these things. Socialism is a form of legalism with the planning done by others like an arranged marriage. Liberty gives people room for free relationships and interactions with all its rewards. This brings closeness within communities and families. Of course friendship and love based agreements can be abused. But allowing freedom in these areas is what life is all about and is the only way we can find self-satisfaction. It doesn't matter if we are talking about a citizen toward his country, an employee in a company or in a marriage: Freedom takes trust and trust is a risk. It doesn't always pan out,  but the only alternative is legalism and robots…..The unjust state for reciprocation is to impair the ability of individuals to use their own will and voluntarily make transactions with others. But 'just' reciprocation is is well worth the risk because opportunities are always there when freedom exists.