Justice What's The Right Thing To Do Essay

Justice is the legal or philosophical theory by which fairness is administered. Concepts of justice may differ based on your society 's practices, beliefs, and feelings. According to Michael Sandel, in his book, Justice: What 's the Right Thing to Do, an important concept of implementing justice is giving all individuals what they deserve. The difficulty of this concept is settling who deserves what and why. Kreon left Polyneices unburied and sent Antigone away to die alone, merely because it is what the two deserved. In Chapter 8 of Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? written by Michael J. Sandel, the author introduces Aristotle. Aristotle wrote that justice means, “giving each person his due or what he deserves.” but, how do we know

After accusing the sentry who tells Kreon of the burial of Polyneices, Kreon later learns that Polyneices was illegally buried by his sister, Antigone. Kreon gives Antigone a chance to deny going his against his word, yet she does not. He gives Antigone a chance to to deny her acts by saying, “Were you aware of the proclamation prohibiting those acts?” (Sophocles 38). He is taken back that Antigone would even go against him knowing the consequences and feels even more dishonored by the fact she is bragging about her actions. Not only does Kreon feel betrayed, he also believes Antigone dishonors her other brother, Eteocles, by burying Polyneices. Kreon says to her, “Wasn’t his enemy your brother? Why do you honor Polyneices only? Isn’t that the same as rejecting Eteocles?” (Sophocles

Kreon punished Antigone by having her deserted in a “rock hollow” which ultimately leaves her to die. (Sophocles 52). After Kreon’s men lead her away, Teiresias, a prophet of Thebes, visits him, telling him, ”My son, stop and consider. All mankind is subject to error. Once an error is made, and a man stumbles into misfortune, it is both wise and worthy of him to make amends” (Sophocles 60). He was warning Kreon of the dangers that will come to his own life if he does not release Antigone. By this time, Kreon still wants to make an example that he is not a pushover leader. Koryphaios, who is the chorus leader in Antigone, believes Kreon should just comply because “he has never known Teiresias to lie” (Sophocles 61). Koryphaios advises Kreon to “Go, release the girl from the cave and build a tomb for the body you cast out” (Sophocles 63). Kreon is reluctant and does not want to give in because he still truly believes he brought justice to all and Antigone and Polyneices got what they deserved. Kreon eventually does give in order to avoid the gods punishment to him. Kreon says to his men, “Attendants! Here! Some of you call the rest. Here! You, hurtty, bring axes! I’ll lead the way. I’ve changed my mind. I did it and I will undo it” (Sophocles