Ancient Human laws, or at least the principle by which punishments are exacted, or disputes are settled are found in prophetical revelations, or by authority of temple priests, or in the presumably inspired wisdom of sage or tribal chief. (From Prof. Danial Robinson’s lectures). We have come a long way from them, modern societies have well written laws and judicial systems to debate the injury, identify the injured and the perpetrator, and to advocate a remedy for the victim, and punishment for the lawbreaker.

“Law is reason without passion”, Aristotle.

Reason puts it in a qualitative paradigm. What is reasonable in one country is not reasonable in another. What is reasonable to me is not reasonable to another. This leaves room for the powerful members of populous to define, what constitutes a logical reason and what are the consequences of breaking that. Not all that is legal is moral and not all that is moral is legal. When you live in a country, you are obligated to adhere to the laws of that land, some you agree and some you disagree. Each corporation in that country makes rules of engagements with their clients. Absent a watchful overseer from authorities responsible for protecting individual rights, these corporations will create rules that will be written in their favor.

Justice, “The constant and perpetual wish to render everyone his due” Emperor Justinian AD 533.

Recently, I booked a round-trip ticket on direct flights from Hyderabad to Vizag. The day before my departure, I received a message – Hyderabad to Vizag flight was cancelled due to technical issues, allowing me to cancel for a full refund or rebook. When I called to inquire about rebooking, I found I couldn’t book a direct flight on that day, despite them being available. If I cancel, I will get a full refund for the onward journey but will lose money on the cancellation of return flight. I can’t imagine taking the return flight without flying there first. My hotel reservation can’t be cancelled either because the hotel doesn’t consider flight cancellation relevant. These unfair rules deprive people of their rights.

Following Socrates’ teachings, I prefer to be a victim of unjust laws than the reason for them. I’m uncertain how many more painful experiences I can endure. For now, I pray ‘so help me God’.