This can also be applied to our outlook of not only to the lowly and meek as emphasized but also to the superior. In the military, if a high ranking official were to walk into the room, its best to “see” them as a person, not as a golden calf, and also not with contempt because they are superior in rank structure. This will lessen insincere flattery and unreasonable disdain.

I’ve seen both and their equally nauseating.

For one, society has many meanings. For example Western society are the group of people of western culture. Furry a group of people who are very very fond of furries (anthropomorphic animals). Even an ethnic group, a mobster, a basketball team, or a group of children can be called a society. Just as long as this group of humans has relationship with the group and have duties to the group. It also means that one could be a member of many kind of societies.

Then think if you are a member of say a polygamist society, or a cult, or terrorist. This “societies” have interest that is not exactly for the good of the individual of the society. The people in the society just believed it is so.

For me, justice is not about our interest or the societies interest or anybodies interest. For me justice is about equality, of fairness, of being just. The opposite of it would be unfair or unjust. There would be no justice if one is treated better than the other just because that person is rich and/or famous. It would be unjust if a woman is treated less respect that a man because of her sex. It would also be against the virtue of justice if a person is treated unfairly just because he is Black.

In my view of justice, I agree with Brian, Justice is the application of the Golden Rule. The justice that is presented in this article, for me, is false.

I think a key point is in the concept of “the persons who constitute society” and the following sentence.

An abuse of the individuals at the gain of society comes when leaders or groups put society not as a working of individuals but as a working of groups. Class warfare is a mode of this injustice in my belief. To say that a group is society instead of individuals leads people to think that one must take or exploit the lesser or evil group to uplift the greater or righteous group. This leads to the exploitation of the individual.

This is the out working of selfishness and the dishonesty described in the article. I do believe that the idea of a person giving their rights up for a society is not the key to this article but something that is preached against in this article. Some may use language similar to exploit the individual for their own gain. This is where wisdom and the ideas of justice must assist us.

As Jesus said, be as gentle as lambs and as shrewd as serpents.

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Terrific. Amazingly well said, and something I think everyone should take a second and read again. Bravo!

The wrongs done in the name of the society are not really for the benefit of society, but for the “powerful, unjust people” in the society. The suppression or massacre of millions did no good for German or Cambodian society, but only for Hitler and Pol Pot. These are cases when a certain individual or group have gained ascendancy over society, and represent *their* wishes, worldview, policies, etc. as representing their society. Much like the example of Napoleon in the article, they cynically manipulate the society / individuals.

What the line means that instead of acquiesing with Hitler, even supporting him, Germans, and the rest of the world, should have realised that he is no good for society, and made some serious sacrifices to get him “removed”.

The atrocities you mention neglect to consider some individuals as “part of society” and so their interests are ignored. The issue is that they are considered below “society”, not that they should sacrifice their individual interests for society.

Considering the politcal/capitalism spin at the end of the post and the continuing reference to class society this considerably targeted towards managing the well being of people who operate within an economy.

However if you apply this definition of Justice, and sprinkle in some wisdom (@Jon), you have a mighty successful society.