Reference no: EM133063499
Objectivity, Justice, and Social Change
The image of lady justice-a blindfolded figure holding a balance before her-seems obvious enough. Her blindfold indicates that she is not influenced by what is on the scales, or by anything that might make her alter the balance of the scales.
As you have seen in the course, the complexity of the justice system means that the meaning of justice and whether or not it is fair depends on perspective, and for that reason, the lady justice symbol is complicated. Does the metaphor in that symbol relate to the fairness of the system? Or is the idea of a blindfold as a symbol of objectivity even accurate? After all, no one wears a blindfold in the criminal justice system, meaning that all the varied human thoughts, characteristics, and attitudes are evident to all who partake in it.
You complete the course by reflecting on the meaning of objectivity, how objectivity relates to justice, and how both may hold the potential for social change.
Learning Objectives.
Analyze the relationship between objectivity and justice in the judicial system.
Analyze the effect of objectivity on social change in the judicial system.
Analyze the role of cultural and diversity awareness in the judicial process.
Discussion: Objectivity
Reflect once more on the image of lady justice and her blindfold. Then, reflect on the definition of objective-not allowing oneself to be swayed by personal feeling or opinion. If society asks the judicial system to be objective, how can that system adapt to the fact that humans often must work toward objectivity? That is, perhaps justice is not blind after all, but rather it requires members within the judicial system to work toward an evolving understanding of objectivity within the parameters of society. In this Discussion, you consider these, and other questions related to objectivity in the justice system.
What characteristics define objectivity in the judicial system?
What obstacles stand in the way of true objectivity and what characteristics ensure it?
How does objectivity in the judicial system contribute to social change?