Sunday Musings - September 17, 2023
The next right thing or the next thing
I have previously written on the subject of justice. It remains a very elusive concept. What is justice if someone murders a family member? What is justice if a family member steals directly or indirectly from one? What is justice when someone carelessly runs a red light, totals one’s car and send people to the hospital with serious injuries? What is justice when one cannot afford the high cost of some medication while the CEO of the manufacturer is paid millions of dollars? What is justice when mother nature destroys one’s house and one discovers the insurance company says it is an act of God which is not covered by one’s plan? How do we ever know that our response to all life throws at us is just?
Carl Jung is sometimes credited with the recommendation that one “Do the next right thing,” This recommendation was later adopted by many of the 12 step programs.
Elizabeth Elliott suggested one just do the next thing.
When any of us has been wronged or injured by the “apparent” deliberate behavior of another we may feel anger and want the other person or persons to be as hurt or injured just as we were. Thus, for the one who murders a loved one a lifetime prison sentence or even death might seem like the only possible justice. One commonly hears from those affected by a life-threatening or life taking action the person or persons responsible need to suffer as much as one’s loved one did.
Many factors may constrain us from doing anything to ensure that a punishing concept of justice is enacted. These may include:
Even if one of the above is one’s reason for not seeking revenge or some other idea of punishing “justice” one may find it difficult to let go of the fear that underlies one’s hurt and anger. That fear may be generalized resulting in one being distrustful of most people. One may feel as if all that was important - the ability to have close relationships which is so essential for survival for us humans - has been stolen and seemingly cannot be reclaimed.
Perhaps justice is the power to hold on to one’s core values no matter what others do or do not do. Sadly, many of us humans cannot clearly articulate our core values; those values which are central to one’s self concept. If, for example, one thinks of oneself as one who sincerely believes in the non-violent teaching of such teachers as Jesus, the Buddha, and Martin Luther King Jr one will not want to respond to emotional or physical violence with violence. One may sincerely believe that none of us can avoid hurting ourselves, each other, and Mother Nature; that the nature of being human is to be imperfect. If this is the case the teaching attributed to Jesus to “let the one who is without sin thrown the first stone” may come to mind.
Clearly, justice entails the need to limit the actions of the person who is “unable” to consider the rights and needs of others. We may need to lovingly limit their behavior just as we do for those living with diseases such as some brain tumors, dementia, and other medical conditions. We have accepted that certain conditions do not allow rational thought or a shared reality. We are, however, reluctant to apply that understanding so liberally that it seems as if we eliminate personnal responsibility or ability to think fairly and rationally. Yet, we must continue to study the factors which affect one’s ability to have a shared reality; to consider the rights and needs of others. If we are going to err perhaps we should err on the side of compassion.
Written September 17, 2023
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Sunday Musings - September 17, 2023
The next right thing or the next thing
I have previously written on the subject of justice. It remains a very elusive concept. What is justice if someone murders a family member? What is justice if a family member steals directly or indirectly from one? What is justice when someone carelessly runs a red light, totals one’s car and send people to the hospital with serious injuries? What is justice when one cannot afford the high cost of some medication while the CEO of the manufacturer is paid millions of dollars? What is justice when mother nature destroys one’s house and one discovers the insurance company says it is an act of God which is not covered by one’s plan? How do we ever know that our response to all life throws at us is just?
Carl Jung is sometimes credited with the recommendation that one “Do the next right thing,” This recommendation was later adopted by many of the 12 step programs.
Elizabeth Elliott suggested one just do the next thing.
When any of us has been wronged or injured by the “apparent” deliberate behavior of another we may feel anger and want the other person or persons to be as hurt or injured just as we were. Thus, for the one who murders a loved one a lifetime prison sentence or even death might seem like the only possible justice. One commonly hears from those affected by a life-threatening or life taking action the person or persons responsible need to suffer as much as one’s loved one did.
Many factors may constrain us from doing anything to ensure that a punishing concept of justice is enacted. These may include:
- Not wanting to cause harm to the “innocent” family of the person who insured one.
- Fear of disobeying the god of one’s understanding who may have taught that one is to pray for or love one’s enemies.
- Not wanting the action of others to determine one’s behavior.
- A belief that it is one’s responsibility to stop the cycle of violence - physical or emotional.
- Knowledge that addiction is a mental illness whether that addiction is to money, power, alcohol, other drugs, sex, power, outward prestige (i. e. the corner office, title, or some other reward.)
- Knowledge that mental illness may be an inability to experience a shared reality; to consider how all of one’s behavior affects the entire universe.
Even if one of the above is one’s reason for not seeking revenge or some other idea of punishing “justice” one may find it difficult to let go of the fear that underlies one’s hurt and anger. That fear may be generalized resulting in one being distrustful of most people. One may feel as if all that was important - the ability to have close relationships which is so essential for survival for us humans - has been stolen and seemingly cannot be reclaimed.
Perhaps justice is the power to hold on to one’s core values no matter what others do or do not do. Sadly, many of us humans cannot clearly articulate our core values; those values which are central to one’s self concept. If, for example, one thinks of oneself as one who sincerely believes in the non-violent teaching of such teachers as Jesus, the Buddha, and Martin Luther King Jr one will not want to respond to emotional or physical violence with violence. One may sincerely believe that none of us can avoid hurting ourselves, each other, and Mother Nature; that the nature of being human is to be imperfect. If this is the case the teaching attributed to Jesus to “let the one who is without sin thrown the first stone” may come to mind.
Clearly, justice entails the need to limit the actions of the person who is “unable” to consider the rights and needs of others. We may need to lovingly limit their behavior just as we do for those living with diseases such as some brain tumors, dementia, and other medical conditions. We have accepted that certain conditions do not allow rational thought or a shared reality. We are, however, reluctant to apply that understanding so liberally that it seems as if we eliminate personnal responsibility or ability to think fairly and rationally. Yet, we must continue to study the factors which affect one’s ability to have a shared reality; to consider the rights and needs of others. If we are going to err perhaps we should err on the side of compassion.
Written September 17, 2023
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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