From the Bible to Brecht's Theatre: Translation, Intertextuality, or a New Narrative? The Judgement of Solomon and the Judgement of Azdak

Maria Fernanda Palma

doi:10.17161/aion.v2i1.24550

Autores

Maria Fernanda Palma University of Lisbon - School of Law

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17161/aion.v2i1.24550

Palavras-chave:

connection of truth and justice; judgement of Solomon; judge Azdak; Bertold Brecht; Caucasian Chalk Circle; syllogisms of justice; intertextuality; AI; judgement construction, literary imagination

Resumo

There is a complex connection between justice and truth. Comparing Solomon’s story in the biblical Book of Kings with the The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Bertold Brecht, a different way of viewing those relations can be recognised. By changing the premise about what is considered the factual truth the logic inference on how to decide each case leads us to a different conclusion.

The choice of this principle depends on the ethics and on the concept of justice one has. This choice relies on historic and social context. The premises about motherhood are different in both the Bible and Brecht's theatre. The question "who deserves a child" is replaced by "what is best for the child". AI algorithms could also help to understand what are we thinking while deciding these cases. Understanding how we think provides an opportunity for us to reframe our premises.

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