5
Civic qualities: fairness
Textbook pp. 11–12
GoalKnow what fairness is and use rules for making a fair decision.
New words
fairness · adolatimpartial · xolisdecision · qaror
Explanation
When we meet unfairness, it hurts. To be fair we must look at a situation from outside, as if it did not concern us; then we are impartial. Three rules help in a disagreement: 1) put ourselves in the other person’s place; 2) look for a decision acceptable to all sides; 3) admit it if the other side is right. Justice is often shown as a woman holding scales, with her eyes covered. The ancient Greeks called the goddess of justice Themis. The covered eyes are a sign of favouring nobody.
Worked examples
“One ball”. In the yard two groups both wanted the ball. Zafar said: “We came first!” Nodir said: “We did not play yesterday!” Hilola, an older girl from next door, listened quietly, then suggested: “Let the two groups play ten minutes each in turn, and I will watch the clock.” Both sides agreed.
Class activity
“Fair rule”: groups choose one conflict situation (for example one computer, two children), find a fair solution using the three rules and act it out.
Practice
1
What does being impartial mean?
Judging a situation from outside without taking sides
2
What is a fair decision like?
Acceptable and right for all sides
3
Why is the symbol of justice shown with covered eyes?
Because she judges only by the truth, regardless of who the person is