ThirstyFish

Traditional Izmir houses in Alsancak.

Those who have given serious thinking about society - irrespective of their background - seem to always end up at the same concepts. Philosophers, poets, religious figures, scientists, physicists and even serious statesmen, all ultimately characterize the ills of society as the struggle between the oppressor and the oppressed, or simply as the deviation from justice. The concept of justice is known by every individual in every society. We are born with it. It is universal. Discarding our innate sense of justice requires that we unlearn or veil our own nature. It means that we come up with superficial rationalizations. It also means that we find ways to justify our belief in our own superiority.

Either you believe in justice or you don't. If you don't, take a good hard look at yourself, because you have suppressed your own nature. Most of us believe in justice but in practical life, fail at it. Many of us are simultaneously, both the oppressed and the oppressor.

Needless to say, the notion of "justice" can never be reduced to retributive justice.

Almost every story ever told is about justice and the implicit or explicit struggle for justice. Star Wars, The Merchant of Venice, The Lord of The Rings, 1984, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Matrix, The Great Gatsby, Lord of the Flies, Dorian Gray, The Grapes of Wrath, Beowulf, Sophie's Choice, Romeo and Juliet...