Imagine playing a game everyday where every morning you wake up and don’t know what will happen to you in the following days, hours, or even minutes. This game is a requirement whether you are rich, poor, old, or young. You did not know whether you will live or die the next day. Everyday holds something knew for you. During Philosophy class we read a story about a lottery. In Babylon a lottery was played similarly to the game. You basically bought a ticket and either got a reward or didn’t. Overtime it got worse and the citizens did not have a choice. They didn’t know what tomorrow would hope. I strongly believe that this was not a just lottery. Some might say well we play that game everyday, it is called life. True, but my life should not be in the hands of the lottery company. They are basically playing the role of a God or gods. I think when the lottery was first introduced it was pretty just but when they started forcing people to play then it definitely turned unjust pretty quick. The citizens can not decide whether they want to play or not. That is one of the many reason it makes the lottery unjust. Another reason would be that the punishments are too harsh. There is a huge difference between if I “wanted” to play the lottery which would result in either me wasting my money and losing versus I am forced to play this game and getting the death card because it was just my unlucky day. This lottery is just based on unjust luck not justice. My simple definition would be what Cephalus’s definition of what justice is. “Justice amounts to paying people what they are owed and properly discharging one’s obligation.” Basically do what you have to do and take care of your business. If everyone does their job then there will be no problems. I will do my part, you will do your part, and they will do their part and everyone is happy.
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