Justification

[DISCLAIMER]

Property of Nickelodeon Animation Studio, fair use

There’s a scene in the second season of Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA) in which a character named Jet entices redemptive character arc personality Zuko to join in on morally and ethically questionable behavior. Regarding the scene, one source states:

Jet convinces Zuko to raid the [ship] crew’s quarters and ‘liberate’ the food the captain is keeping from the passengers. Zuko agrees and helps. Later that night, Jet offers Zuko a permanent spot on the Freedom Fighters, but Zuko refuses as he wants to start a new life with Iroh.

A “moral” is of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior “Ethics,” which are based on morals, are principles of conduct governing an individual or a group. As an example, if one considers it morally wrong to steal, then the ethical rule by which one lives is not to steal.

However, in the aforementioned ATLA scene, Zuko is faced with a challenge to his moral and ethical foundation while on his redemptive character arc. Although it’s morally and ethically wrong to steal, Jet convinces Zuko that doing so is acceptable in the interest of liberation.

To “liberate” is to set at liberty or to free something or someone. For instance, regarding the Emancipation Proclamation, one source states:

[T]he Proclamation announced the acceptance of black men into the Union Army and Navy, enabling the liberated to become liberators. By the end of the war, almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and freedom.

From the first days of the Civil War, slaves had acted to secure their own liberty. The Emancipation Proclamation confirmed their insistence that the war for the Union must become a war for freedom.

Morally speaking, it is widely (though not universally) considered morally right to liberate people in bondage. Therefore, the ethical consideration in regard to the Civil War was to set slaves free. When contemplating this matter, it’s helpful to know how logic and reason function.

“Logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable, and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justification. When using psychoeducational lessons regarding these concepts, I often illustrate matters with syllogisms:

Syllogism 1:

Form (modus ponens) –

If p, then q; p; therefore, q.

Example –

If stealing is morally and ethically wrong, then one moralistically shouldn’t steal.

Stealing is morally and ethically wrong.

Therefore, one moralistically shouldn’t steal.

Syllogism 2:

Form (hypothetical) –

If p, then q; if q, then r; therefore, if p, then r.

Example –

If the act of enslaving people is morally worse than stealing, then liberating enslaved people is morally right.

If liberating enslaved people is morally right, then other forms of liberation are also morally and ethically justified.

Therefore, if the act of enslaving people is morally worse than stealing, then other forms of liberation are also morally and ethically justified.

Syllogism 3:

Form (constructive dilemma) –

If p, then q; and if r, then s; but either p, or r; therefore, either q, or s.

Example –

If various forms of liberation are morally and ethically justified, then liberating food which a ship’s captain keeps from passengers is acceptable; and if stealing is morally and ethically wrong no matter the circumstances, then people moralistically shouldn’t advocate liberation.

But either various forms of liberation are morally and ethically justified, or stealing is morally and ethically wrong no matter the circumstances.

Therefore, either liberating food which a ship’s captain keeps from passengers is acceptable, or people moralistically shouldn’t advocate liberation.

In syllogism 1, I’ve made a logically sound argument with a subjectively reasonable conclusion. Even if not everyone will agree that it’s morally and ethically wrong to steal, this outcome is widely accepted across the globe.

In syllogism 2, I again used sound logic while putting forth subjectively feasible justification in support of an argument. For instance, if freeing slaves during the Civil War was appropriate, it may also be appropriate to liberate ill-gotten funds from a band of thieves.

In syllogism 3, I’ve continued using sound logic, though I’ve provided a moral and ethical challenge to one’s subjective reason. Essentially, either stealing or liberating is acceptable according to one’s own subjective moral and ethical code, or liberation shouldn’t be advocated.

Herein, I’ve outlined the complex nature of morals and ethics with use of logic and reason. As well, I’ve continually referenced justification—an acceptable reason for doing something: something that justifies an act or way of behaving, which is different than rationalization:

[A] defense mechanism (ego defense) in which apparent logical reasons are given to justify behavior that is motivated by unconscious instinctual impulses. It is an attempt to find reasons for behaviors, especially one’s own. Rationalizations are used to defend against feelings of guilt, maintain self-respect, and protect oneself from criticism.

Basically, justification is the act of explaining why one maintains that an action is right, while rationalization refers to making excuses for something considered morally and ethically wrong. Thus, justification can follow logical form while its reasoning is subject to scrutiny.

When practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I invite people to consider that in order for a thought, belief, proposition, argument, or otherwise to be considered rational it empirically must remain in accordance with both logic and reason – not merely one or the other.

In the case of Jet’s enticement of Zuko, the Freedom Fighters leader merely used the term “liberate” as a euphemism for “steal.” Even though Zuko initially acquiesced to the immoral and unethical invitation, he later rationally concluded that such behavior wasn’t suitable for his path.

In particular, Zuko’s redemptive character arc pertained to defeating his father, Fire Lord Ozai, who had stolen territory from other nations during imperialist conquest. While liberation of those territories was morally and ethically right, stealing food was morally and ethically wrong.

In closing, not all people share the same moral and ethical values. For instance, one nation invades and occupies another country – supposedly in the interest of liberation and democracy – when such hostile action is considered terroristic and wrong by other sovereign state actors.

Even though Ozai may’ve considered his imperialist behavior to be right, as was apparently the case with Jet and his food-liberating actions, objective morality remains a contentious topic. Even supposing that one may use justification for wrong behavior, others may disagree.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

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