Student Insider's Guide

Step 1: Toward a definition of peace and justice
It is usually helpful to have a definition- at least a working definition- of the two main terms we are exploring. We just cannot assume that the people around us have the same definition we do of peace and justice. Some folks may think of peace as “inner peace” have spiritual qualities while others see peace as strickly mechanical , for example, “… the absence of war or physical violence.” Here is a definition to get the discussion started that is from the American Heritage Dictionary, 4th Edition, 2001:

peace (peps). N  1. The absence of war or other hostilities. 2. An agreement to end hostilities. 3. Freedom from quarrels and disagreements; harmony. 4.  Public security and order: disturbing the peace.  5. Serenity: peace of mind.  [Latin pax].
peaceable, peacefully :  adjective
peaceably, peacefully:  adverb
peacefulness:  noun

justice (jus-tice).  N. 1.  The quality of being just; fairness. 2. The principle of moral rightness. 3. The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards or law. 4. The administration and procedure of law. 5. Conformity to fact or sound reason. 6. A judge. [Latin  iustitia]
Question:

1. Can you agree with the above definitions ?
2. If you would change them, what would you do?
3. Can you at least “work with” these definitions?  (You would then call these your working definitions). When it is hard or impossible to agree on a definition, we need to begin somewhere. We need something to “work with.”
4. If you cannot work with the complete American Heritage definitions, are there parts of them you can agree with?