Justice Does Not Exist—Fortunately—And a Veil of Ignorance May Save Us

The ego, deeply rooted in self-preservation, tends to turn justice into a matter of retribution or revenge. When a person perceives themselves as wronged, the ego pushes toward retributive justice, an attempt to restore personal balance—often at the expense of a greater harmony. This is evident in humanity’s tendency to confuse justice with vengeance or to seek punishment as compensation for suffering. However, this ego-driven vision of justice is limited, as it fails to consider the broader context of human relationships and the interconnectedness of all beings.

Beyond the Ego: Justice as Harmony

Philosophy and spirituality offer tools to transcend this individualistic perspective. Plato, in The Republic, describes justice as harmony between the different parts of the soul and among members of society. When the ego dominates, harmony is broken—both within the individual and in the collective. Justice, in this view, requires that reason govern egoistic desires, leading individuals to recognize the value of a greater balance ("I am because we are").

Overcoming the ego is also central in spiritual traditions. Buddhism, for instance, considers the ego an illusion that separates individuals from the rest of sentient beings. Justice, from this perspective, is not punitive but compassionate, rooted in the understanding that one person’s suffering is the suffering of all.

Hinduism, through the concept of karma, emphasizes that every action has consequences beyond the individual, highlighting the interconnection between people and the cosmos. Similarly, Christianity, in the teachings of Jesus, challenges the logic of retribution: the act of "turning the other cheek" is not passive acceptance of injustice, but a rejection of the ego as the driving force in human relationships, in favor of a greater, universal love.

A Justice That Transcends Punishment: Ubuntu and St. Francis of Assisi

An extraordinary example of this transcendent justice emerges in the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which affirms:"I am because we are."

Ubuntu is based on the idea that human beings realize themselves only through their relationships with others. Justice, in this context, is not individualistic but communal: it is not about punishing an individual but restoring balance within the community. This principle was put into extraordinary practice during South Africa’s reconciliation process, under the guidance of theologian Desmond Tutu.

Another example comes from St. Francis of Assisi, who conceived of justice as balance with all creatures. For Francis, justice was not just a relationship between humans but a universal harmony that also involved nature.

The Veil of Ignorance: John Rawls and the Foundations of Fairness

A significant contribution to the reflection on justice and the transcendence of the ego comes from John Rawls’ theory—particularly the concept of the "Veil of Ignorance."

Rawls imagines a thought experiment in which, in order to design a just society, individuals must choose its fundamental principles without knowing their own social, economic, or cultural position. This "veil" forces individuals to set aside their ego, as no one can favor themselves or their personal interests.

In this state of impartiality, Rawls argues, individuals would naturally create rules that guarantee fairness and fundamental rights for all, especially for the most disadvantaged.

Rawls developed this idea primarily in A Theory of Justice (1971, revised in 1999), where he presents the original position—a condition in which rational individuals, ignorant of their future social status, must determine the principles of justice.

Later, in Justice as Fairness: A Restatement (2001), he refined his theory to apply it to democratic and pluralistic societies. In Political Liberalism (1993), Rawls explored how his principles of justice could coexist with different conceptions of the good within a liberal society. Finally, in The Law of Peoples (1999), he extended his concept of justice to international relations, applying his principles to interactions between nations.

These works systematically develop a vision of justice that transcends ego and individual interests, anchoring society in an ideal of fairness.

Can Artificial Intelligence Apply the Veil of Ignorance?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) could play a significant role in the practical application of Rawls’ Veil of Ignorance, providing tools to simulate impartial decision-making scenarios and analyze fairness and justice in complex societies.

Since the veil of ignorance requires individuals to choose principles of justice without personal bias, AI could help eliminate human biases, fostering more equitable decisions.

Once again, the concept of justice inevitably leads back to the ontological question:What are we?

• In a materialist vision, justice is simply a function of general optimization.

  • From this perspective, computational materialism will ultimately resolve the philosophical questions raised by biological materialism—big data and mathematics will soon settle the debate (and, in fact, we are already seeing this as we prompt questions and dilemmas into AI applications).

• In a metaphysical vision (in the classical sense, and not in the unique, adorable, and deeply respectable interpretation of Massimo Cacciari, who beautifully reconciles metaphysics with the here and now), justice is fundamentally about detachment and mercy, in respect for whoever (or whatever) brought us into existence.

  
  

My Final Proposition

Justice does not exist. And in that, I find my fundamental peace.

Bibliography

1. Plato. The Republic. Translated by Giovanni Reale. Milan: Bompiani, 1993.

2. John Rawls. A Theory of Justice. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1971; Revised Edition, 1999.

3. John Rawls. Justice as Fairness: A Restatement. Cambridge: Belknap Press, 2001.

4. John Rawls. Political Liberalism. New York: Columbia University Press, 1993.

5. John Rawls. The Law of Peoples. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1999.

6. Desmond Tutu. No Future Without Forgiveness. New York: Doubleday, 1999.

7. Canticle of the Creatures. Text by St. Francis of Assisi, 1224.

   

Bonus: Elegiac Prose on Justice

The Illusion of Justice

Justice prevents us from seeing, from understanding, from communicating.To be "right" is to be isolated.

To be "right" isolates my neighbor.If I am right, I have gained nothing. If I am right, you have gained nothing.

Justice is struggle.Justice is deafness, blindness, absence.Justice impoverishes.

Justice is a pre-packaged understanding, pre-existing before us.Justice is smallness. To be "right" is to be weak.To be "right" means to need protection.

Seeking justice means asking for help, a desperate search, a sign of remote isolation.

Justice does not exist, and that is why I am free.

Justice does not exist, and that is why my brother is free.

Justice does not exist, and that is why I am among many.

Justice does not exist, and that is why I can see, hear, and speak.

Justice does not exist, and that is why I do not fear God.

Justice does not exist, and that is why I do not fear anything—because I am equal to all.

Justice does not exist, and that is why I am embraced.

Justice does not exist, and that is why I am free to love.