A kid taught this is right in their own mind, which is what I'm getting at. I never said that what is right in your world, is right in the widely accepted world. I do not think that you can go around killing people below 5'4" because you were taught as a kid they are Imps from Hell, because it's against the common law, which is based upon human rights and all of that. However, if we were raised in a world where everyone was taught that as a kid, and everyone believed that, do you think people below 5'4" would have unalienable human rights preventing them from being slaughtered by people who, for the sake of my weird example, worship God? For a while, at least, eventually I think someone would come up with the idea that we are all human and are one, so even people 4' tall should be treated fairly >_>.
Like racism, at the time, it was widely accepted and many people practiced slavery, because they believed white-skinned people were superior to black-skinned [and so on], now however, we think it is wrong, and there is a law against it.
justice is formed by the beliefs and values of people. you may see it in everydays decisions where people decide to act right or wrong in your eyes but think they do the right think.
example: an egocentric would not give up his seat for an old lady on the bus, because he puts his comfort over the ladies well being. other persons would judge the situation differently and give the seat up.
as long as you have small decisions noone cares that another morality is put to judge them.
and in order to prevent people from doing whatever they want, because the believe it right, people have invented laws and rules, which are created and developped by the society. this laws represent a compromise of all moral views you have, and find a certain common sense, which allows everyone to live in one society without major problems(assumed that everyone follows the law).
if someone does break the law he is being punished.
Like racism, at the time, it was widely accepted and many people practiced slavery, because they believed white-skinned people were superior to black-skinned [and so on], now however, we think it is wrong, and there is a law against it.
as you state in your example some time ago it was ok. to have slaves. noone would think of it as wrong. no it is mostly seen wrong and therefore laws to forbid slavery where made.
the point in this topic is to show, that different times, societies and even individuals see justice an morality differently. that explains different laws and actions.
