Exception to the Rule: The Surprising Science of Character-Based Culture, Engagement, and Performance

CHAPTER 4

Justice

Our ego is not our amigo.

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you havechosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its footon the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral,the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.

—DESMOND TUTU¹

So what is justice? Common meanings of justice are “law,” “rule,” “code,” and “sanctioned by law.” Justice is often defined as fairness or equality. Equality is easier to determine because it involves less judgment. “Fair” is clearly not the same as “equal,” though these words tend to be used interchangeably. Fairness can be trickier because we have to “justify” our decision.

Here is a story about the Ethical Protectors program to introduce the virtue justice.

THE ETHICAL ...