Title: What is justice? | HowStuffWorks
Headings: What is justice?
What is justice?
Content: What is justice? | HowStuffWorks
What is justice? By: Molly Edmonds
Justice is often depicted as blindfolded and holding scales to weigh each side of an argument. Fry Design Ltd/Photographer's Choice/ Getty Images
The word "justice" appears in many of the United States' most important documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Pledge of Allegiance. But for a word that's used so often, its precise definition is still a topic of debate for philosophers, theologians and legislators. Justice is often used interchangeably with the word "fairness." In any situation, be it in a courtroom, at the workplace or in line at the local bar, we want to be treated fairly. We shouldn't be judged more harshly because of our skin color, we shouldn't be paid any less because of our gender, and we shouldn't have to wait longer for a drink because of what we're wearing. We feel we deserve equal and impartial treatment.