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As one judge said to another judge: be just. And if you…

“As one judge said to another judge: be just. And if you can’t be just, be arbitrary” quote by William S. Burroughs
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““As one judge said to another judge: be just. And if you can’t be just, be arbitrary””

William S. Burroughs

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

When fairness is impossible, settle for randomness as a pragmatic alternative

In simple terms: If you can’t be fair, be random

Key Takeaway

Accept limits of fairness, use arbitrariness when needed

Themes

justice ethics pragmatism

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical analytical

When to use this quote

  • court rulings
  • organizational policy
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

fairness arbitrariness decision theory

Questions to Reflect On

  • Is arbitrariness ever truly just?
  • When is randomness preferable to bias?
A Different Perspective

Arbitrary decisions can undermine trust

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