The Stoic Classroom (Justice)
"There were years when I lived at the mercy of fear and now it's clear that when it's near, I know to listen to that voice that says, my dear, this way... this path, one breath, look here and strength appears. From intuition to right action, with heart to persevere.” -KH
This is the entire arc of Justice: we use our inner strength to persevere and turn intuition into Right Action.
Read on to learn how to introduce this virtue to kids, with practical application.
The Bridge: From Wisdom to Action
Last week, we focused on Wisdom, learning from Epictetus to discern what is "up to us" (our choices, our effort) and what is not.
Now, we move to the next essential virtue: Justice. If Wisdom teaches us how to think, Justice teaches us how to act. It is the principle of Right Action—treating others fairly and contributing to the greater good. It is how we apply our self-mastery to the world around us.
For this week's guide, we turn to Seneca, who stressed that our lives must be useful to others. Justice requires us to constantly ask: Is what I am doing right for my community?
The Kairos Challenge: Spotting Justice in the World
This week, we will sharpen our children's ability to spot the difference between What Is and What Should Be—a key step in practicing Justice.
Media Connection (Younger Students): Discuss animated movies or fantasy books. Where do we see a character sacrifice personal safety for what is fair and right? (e.g., Mulan challenging cultural injustice, not just fighting a war; or how a character stands up for the marginalized).
Poetry & Action (Middle/High School): Watch Amanda Gorman's inaugural poem, "The Hill We Climb." The line you referenced perfectly captures the struggle: "Justice is the thing that we are always seeking, not just the thing that we already have." Discuss how her poetry uses language to demand a higher standard of Justice in society and how that relates to current events.
The Action Step: Ask your child: "Where did you see an issue of fairness or justice today (in a story, at school, or in the news)? What was one small, right action that could have been taken, or that you could take?"
What’s Next?
Next week, we move to the third virtue: Temperance (Self-Control), the discipline required to maintain our integrity and focus amidst life's distractions. We will introduce a new philosopher to guide us.
