New challenges and times
Hey, my faithful followers and all the people I drag over here begging for attention and comments. Ahem, you know what to do. Hit that like button. Yeah I know you don't do it. Comment please. I dare you to.
Any who! I'm gonna be putting out one of these posts every week along with a short story or a part of the books I am working on, stay tuned.
The Interviewer Returns
The Interviewer tipped his chair backwards, a grin spreading across his face. Today, he had a special treat as he had been asked to hold a debate. Soran Dancer Fearless and Karan Winterblessed would argue the subject of Justice. His eyes danced over the papers before him one last time before he began the process of summoning the heroes.
Two men of different worlds
Within an instant, the subjects materialized into this universe. The Interviewer took a few moments to compare them realizing the massive gap between the two. Karan had everything Soran did not with an impossibly handsome face, a warrior's build, and impeccably tailored clothing. The only thing that Soran had more than Karan were his eyes, the burning eyes of ice with falling ash. Karan's eyes, piercing and icy, didn't have the same intensity. Soran was a teenager, but he would never grow into the daunting size of Karan.
Once he finished comparing, he began to speak. "Today, we will be having a grand debate, but before we begin let me introduce you to each other. On my left, we have Warriorborn (the equivalent of a knight, Karan) Soran Dancer Fearless . He wields the power of the elements, ice and fire along with a formidable tactical brain.
On the right, we have Sir Karan Winterblessed, Commanding General and the most influential person in his rapidly expanding kingdom. He is a peerless warrior with his blade forged in a Dragon's Fire. Please shake each other's hands!”
Soran offered his hand immediately, and Karan considered for a moment before taking it. The Interviewer smiled internally as Soran's eyes widened slightly as his hand was enveloped in a much larger crushing grip. Although his face remained neutral, a vein in Soran's neck popped out, before Karan growled. "Pleasure to meet you."
Both turned back, and Soran shook out his hand as discreetly as possible. "My best compliments to you," Soran responded before turning back to the Interviewer. "What are we debating today?"
Beginning of the debate
"Today, our debate topic will be Justice. The rules of the discussion are as follows. I will ask a question, after which one of you will answer. For order of response, we will alternate between the two of you. The second to go may respond to the first before giving his answer or answer before responding. Also, the first may respond the second after he has finished. Do you have any questions, or are you ready to begin?"
The men nodded, and the Interviewer began his line of questioning. "Perfect, the question is, what does Justice mean? Karan, as the elder, begin."
A few moments of silence passed before Winterblessed spoke. "Justice is the process of the powerful carrying out the punishments upon those weaker than them for disobeying the current set of rules. Justice is the way the social hierarchy keeps everyone in their place."
Karan leaned back, and the Interviewer looked to Soran. "You may respond and/or answer the question."
Soran shook his head slowly at the warrior and began. “The most powerful is a very arbitrary term for a basis of who creates justice. More powerful, in what sense, I ask physically, politically, emotionally? Our definitions are indeed very different."
He paused for a second before continuing. "I believe Justice is when we treat other people as they deserve. To be more specific, when we treat other people as creations of God according to His ideals."
"Stormblessed, will you respond?"
Stormblessed, chuckled softly. "So you are one of those. If there were a God, why is the world so out of line with what his followers call justice? I prefer what I can feel and see. Why should I strive for these ideals that would not get me ahead in life?"
Second Question
"Now we move onto the second question. What does it mean to deserve something and do we as humans deserve anything? Soran, start.."
Soran pursed his lips before beginning. "The simple answer is whatever God says we should receive. We deserve to be treated honestly in our relationships of any kind. This idea means that no one should push others down to achieve success. Third, it means that people should be free to pursue anything that does not harm other people in the process consciously. Helping and not hurting is the goal of justice.
However,when we fail to follow the guidelines set forth, we deserve to be punished. The punishment we incur must be equal to the crime inflicted while also returning whatever was broken if possible."
Karan interjected as soon as he was sure Soran was done. "So you support equal outcomes?"
Soran raised his hand and said. "May I respond?"
Karan and the Interviewer nodded, so Soran began. "You mistake what I mean for a need or a right. You don't need to have success to be physically healthy. Equality of outcome is not going to make one happy. The goal is for everyone to be basically provided for, but let everyone take their own path to try to find happiness."
Karan shrugged and began his part. "To deserve something means that you have taken it. You don't deserve to be born with enough shelter or food to survive. Some are lucky; some are not. A strong will will get you to where you deserve to be. People don't have rights; it is just what they take for themselves that they protect as if it is right. If I have the power to, I deserve to be able to take your life.
As to punishment, I prefer a sentence that warns people against ever doing it again. Make them fear the law."
Soran began his rebuttal with an edge to his voice. "What basis does your right have? Your right is based on the right that the next strongman will take away your rights. Therefore there is no point in following any laws for we will act only in the interest of ourselves destroying society."
Third Question
After clearing his throat, the Interviewer began"Okay, now for the next question, How is one justified in their actions? Can one be more just than another?"
Karan began slowly to speak. "Justified in your actions? You don't need to be justified. It is once they have conquered their foe that people become heroes. The end result is the seizure of power and a new system formed. By this, you end the other person's 'just rule,' and make your own divine right."
The Interviewer turned to Soran, who instantly began his response. "To justify means to declare righteous or, in a legal way, say it is or was truthful when the action was carried out. If you do something and know that the action was not righteous and must afterwards make it 'right,' then it was not right in the first place. Therefore, you violate any shred of conscience or justifiable morality.
Second, if you make what you did to be the right thing, then you justify the overthrow of your power. More likely, you will attempt to create Justice that disavows the way you came to power and makes your right divine so that no one does the same to you, proving yourself a hypocrite.
Now to answer the question, you can only be justified in your actions if you act according to some previously set system of ideals. The concept of right revolves around the idea of an already set up network of ethics that you abide by. The closer you comply with this transcendent ideal, the more just your actions are.
Karan cut quickly. "Oh, and who determines what the right justice ideal to pursue is?’ he snapped his finger, ‘Oh yeah! the ones in charge of the world. Ah, to be so young and naive."
Soran turned over to look at Karan, and the Interviewer noticed that his eyes were burning at a higher intensity, the ice and fire in the Warriorborn's eyes consuming each other more quickly with the ash falling faster. The temperature in the room began to fluctuate. Soran Fearless said in a chill tone. "You don't know that.. Next question, please?"
Fourth and Final Question
"This will be the last question, as we are running out of attention spans. How do governments relate to Justice? Soran will begin.”
After a few moments of pause, Soran began to speak, his voice normal again. "Governments ought to be the force encouraging Justice and carrying out Justice as the instruments of righteousness. However, if the government allows or promotes injustice the the system is corrupted and must be fixed or destroyed. Whether it is a republic or dictatorship, people are still responsible for every injustice carried out in the name of their country if they support the system in any way."
Winterblessed began his section by shrugging. "In my worldview, the Government is Justice. Whatever system is in place is the creator of the rules and regulations. The power is self-justifying, and the rules are the standard of what is right."
Soran grinned and said. "Until someone comes along and overthrows that system one way or another."
The Interviewer rapped his hand on the table. "And that concludes our debate! Farewell, and until next time!"