Should justice be blind?

Question

Are our ears somehow more honest than our eyes?

Answer 1

Actually, the phrase is not literally referring to the eyes. The phrase "justice is blind" refers to the idea that judges and juries should look only at the evidence presented in court when making their decisions. The term "blind" is a reference to the ideal of those making decisions ignoring what they know about the defendants reputation, personal history, local gossip, news articles, appearance, personal relationship to the judge and/or individual jury members, etc.

It dates back to when most people lived in small towns where everyone knew everybody else. When juries were selected the defendant might often have neighbors, friends, or even relatives who were serving on the Jury. Even the judge might have been related to the defendant in some way at that time.

Answer 2

It has to be. Some of the answers given here are great examples of that. I'm involved in a law suit- I don't have a lawyer. I'm both a defendant and a Plaintiff in the same basic suit. The other party has many lawyers representing them. My situation has been going on for the past 6 months or so,... If justice were not "blind" I would have been "out-lawyered" a long time ago... I have been given opportunity, understanding and additional time by the system to get my paperwork and thoughts in order. Many times I feel that I'll be "eaten alive" by these fairly large law firms and lawyers... The system seems to be aware of that and will not let it happen. Most of the time.

Answer 3

Blind doesn't mean not paying attention to what is relevant.

The saying is intended to mean that justice (the law) should operate only on the facts, and not based on WHO is on trial. So race, ancestry, social class, wealth, gender, popularity, etc. should not matter in rendering a verdict.

It's not about audible evidence versus visual evidence. It's about relevant versus non-relevant. Did you pull the trigger? That's relevant, and the law will look at that. Are you a famous movie star, a racial minority, a rich baseball player, a homeless person, a noted politician, etc. -- that's irrelevant and the law should be blind to those facts.

Answer 4

There are times in life that justice should be blind though. You should accept it as it comes because for good or for bad times may show the reality as it. sometimes you may be more honest by hearing even though there is a saying that seeing is believing. many people contribute to foundations or organizations without really know what is the money for. Without doing a follow up to his/her collaboration.

Answer 5

Do you know the saying: "A picture is worth a thousand words"? I believe that that is the reason that justice is blind rather than deaf. And actually if justice is to be unprejudiced, it needs to be deaf and blind. But not dumb meaning mute, one needs to be able to speak in order to communicate the wrongs that were done to others.

As in the judge in a trial sequestering the jurors, NO communication with the outside world.

Answer 6

Try this...regarding judgment of what we see and hear...

Rent out the old King Kong movie with Fay Wray. Watch and listen as Kong pounds himself on the chest and roars. It's believable. Especially since we all know and watch the Discovery Channel, that apes have a high pitch voice.

Now, walk into another room, without viewing the screen, and listen to Kong pound his chest. And, then identify who is making the sound...Sorry people, it is not the sound of an ape, but the roar of a lion.

Hollywood and movie making constantly challenges our senses. So, is what we see and hear the truth...is it ever the truth ?

That's Hollywood, folks.

Answer 7

The traditional visual symbol of "Justice" is a blindfolded woman holding scales and a sword. The scales are for weighing right and wrong; the sword is to punish the guilty; the blindfold is to show that she is impartial (i.e. that she does not treat friends differently from strangers, or high-ranking people better than humble ones, because she does not "see" them). But she is not deaf, because she listens to all the evidence put before her.

Answer 8

Yes I think our ears are more honest than our eyes. I'ts true people are judged on thier looks. If we heard a story without seeing pictures we may come out with a different conclusion than otherwise. I totally think so.

Answer 9

yes, so as to avoid favoritism, eyes & ears-both should be more honest, but in real world, the scale of justice is manipulated by the so called unethical heavy weights.

Answer 10

I don't know if justice should be blind, but I know what you're saying. Justice should be just.

People should convict on facts and what's right and wrong, not by surface appearances (physical and mental impressions).