In the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle defines justice as lawfulness and fairness. One figure in entertainment that embodies these ideas is Batman. Justice is a virtue concerning the interactions we have with one another. Throughout the storytelling in comic books, television shows, and movies, Batman maintains a general sense of justice. While he has his shortcomings, for the most part, Batman exemplifies what is characteristic of a just person through his lawfulness and fairness. Justice as defined in the Nicomachean Ethics has a broader meaning than we know today. Aristotle looks to two qualities when evaluating justice: being right according to the law and according to fairness. Both forms of justice concern the treatment of others. The
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His alter ego, Batman, unlike some other superheroes, also has high moral character and has vowed not to kill suspected criminals for any reason. No matter how terrible a foe may be, Batman’s objective is to detain the subject and allow Commissioner Gordon and the proper authorities to see that justice runs its course. Thus, Batman is just in the sense that he does not commit murder and abides by this law. While in many respects Batman is lawful, in some ways his actions could be considered unlawful. Although his intentions are consistently virtuous, the role he takes on as a vigilante is inherently unlawful. Situations such as this enter a grey area of what Aristotle would consider just. Aristotle states, “For someone might lie with a woman and know who she is, but the principle might be feelings rather than decision. In that case, he is not unjust, though he does injustice” (Book V.1134a.20-23). Committing an injustice does not make one unjust. Aristotle believes that one’s intentions play a role in determining if one is unjust or if simply the act that is committed is unjust. While Batman’s vigilante status is unlawful, his reasoning is sound. He believes that he is the only one willing and able to stop his adversaries, so if going outside the law is the only way to …show more content…
Although some of Batman’s actions may appear unjust on the surface, his well-intended nature makes him just. Though Bruce Wayne is one of the richest people in his community and does not face the same problems as the less fortunate of Gotham, he still makes the wellbeing of his fellow man a priority. Wayne contributes much of his fortune to the orphans of Gotham and funding the crime fighting actions of his alter ego, Batman who uses the resources to protect the public at large. He captures the criminal, but his sense of lawfulness will not allow him to use force beyond what is necessary to bring the accused to justice. Since, lawfulness is one form of being just according to Aristotle, we can conclude that Batman is just. He is also fair. Even though many would assert he would be justified to kill the likes of The Joker, The Riddler, and Bane, Batman’s character and belief in fairness prevail. He and his alter ego, Bruce Wayne are controlled by a sense of justice and fairness that permeates through their character and dictates their
His alter ego, Batman, unlike some other superheroes, also has high moral character and has vowed not to kill suspected criminals for any reason. No matter how terrible a foe may be, Batman’s objective is to detain the subject and allow Commissioner Gordon and the proper authorities to see that justice runs its course. Thus, Batman is just in the sense that he does not commit murder and abides by this law. While in many respects Batman is lawful, in some ways his actions could be considered unlawful. Although his intentions are consistently virtuous, the role he takes on as a vigilante is inherently unlawful. Situations such as this enter a grey area of what Aristotle would consider just. Aristotle states, “For someone might lie with a woman and know who she is, but the principle might be feelings rather than decision. In that case, he is not unjust, though he does injustice” (Book V.1134a.20-23). Committing an injustice does not make one unjust. Aristotle believes that one’s intentions play a role in determining if one is unjust or if simply the act that is committed is unjust. While Batman’s vigilante status is unlawful, his reasoning is sound. He believes that he is the only one willing and able to stop his adversaries, so if going outside the law is the only way to …show more content…
Although some of Batman’s actions may appear unjust on the surface, his well-intended nature makes him just. Though Bruce Wayne is one of the richest people in his community and does not face the same problems as the less fortunate of Gotham, he still makes the wellbeing of his fellow man a priority. Wayne contributes much of his fortune to the orphans of Gotham and funding the crime fighting actions of his alter ego, Batman who uses the resources to protect the public at large. He captures the criminal, but his sense of lawfulness will not allow him to use force beyond what is necessary to bring the accused to justice. Since, lawfulness is one form of being just according to Aristotle, we can conclude that Batman is just. He is also fair. Even though many would assert he would be justified to kill the likes of The Joker, The Riddler, and Bane, Batman’s character and belief in fairness prevail. He and his alter ego, Bruce Wayne are controlled by a sense of justice and fairness that permeates through their character and dictates their