When Is Revenge Justified?
It's important to understand the difference between revenge and justice—and when, if ever, revenge is justified.
The desire for revenge is a powerful emotion. It can be provoked by feelings of anger, betrayal, or even fear.
And while it's perfectly natural to feel this way, it's important to understand the difference between revenge and justice—and when, if ever, revenge is justified.
Justice is when it’s enforced by the law because they can and we don’t have to, revenge is when it’s enforced by our will because the law can’t but we need to. Hence, revenge can be just. -Detcader
What Is Revenge?
Revenge is defined as "the action of inflicting punishment on someone as a retaliation for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands." In other words, revenge is motivated by a desire to punish someone for the harm they've caused, rather than by a desire to see them brought to justice. This distinction is important because, while justice requires impartiality, revenge does not.
Can Revenge Be Justified?
There are some who would argue that revenge is never justified. They would say that, as humans, we're not capable of setting aside our personal feelings in order to deliver fair and objective punishment. Others would argue that there are certain circumstances in which revenge may be warranted—for example, if the criminal justice system has failed to punish the offender in a way that feels adequate to the victim.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, whether or not you believe that revenge is ever justified is a matter of personal opinion. There are pros and cons to both sides of the argument. If you do find yourself seeking revenge, however, it's important to be mindful of the possible consequences.