2007-02-15 02:49:34 · 7 answers · asked by Diesel Weasel 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Sure...so long as all we're measuring is the overt judgment (decision) and not the inner feelings about the decision.
Judges have all kinds of personal biases. But they have to ignore those biases and think impartially. However, if the bias is too close to home, a judge will recuse him/herself.
But that's not because it would be "impossible" to render a fair decision. It's as much because it would be impossible to defend that decision if it were to be appealed.
So, since I believe it is possible to ignore a personal interest and rule against yourself (even though you could be harmed by your decision), I also believe you can decide impartially in favor of yourself.
The real question is whether anyone would believe you.
2007-02-15 15:28:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
If they are truly dedicated to impartiality, yes.
But we have to design our systems on the realization that some people -- some indeterminate number of people -- will not be impartial. For example, we expect all judges to recuse themselves from considering a case in which the judge has a conflict of interest. That's because of the potentiality that the judge won't be as impartial as he/she should. The point isn't that there aren't any judges at all who can be trusted. It is that we won't know in advance which judge will be impartial (even though a self interest is at stake) and which one won't. Hence, it is better to err on the side of caution and to avoid the appearance of bias.
2007-02-15 03:19:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
it depends how close to the cause they are. If it is something they are passionate about though, it would be difficult to be impartial. If the cause is something they believe in but are not passionate enough to not allow logic to prevail, then they could judge impartially.
2007-02-15 03:03:33 · answer #3 · answered by mamacatto2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The maxim is nemo judex in re causa sua.which means no one can be a judge in their own cause.but there are precedents which allows if situation is such.And whether you can be an impartial judge or not is upto YOU
2007-02-15 03:48:26 · answer #4 · answered by rani p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's possible, but I would never bet on it.
Even the most conscientious of us cannot be certain that we are aware of all of our biases. The invisibly creeping influence of unconscious partiality can never be suppressed with absolute certainty.
2007-02-15 15:03:20 · answer #5 · answered by x 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's possible to do so, if one can remove their feelings from it to be able to see both sides of their cause. If I remember correctly, that is something that's taught or talked about in debate classes.
2007-02-15 03:12:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Probably one in ten million - they are called noble souls. Mother Theressa... Mahatma Gandhi .....
2007-02-15 02:56:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋