IMPARTIALITY, Linson Thomas

Impartiality is the purported principle of justice holding that decisions should be based on objective criteria, rather than on the basis of bias, the truth being that to make a decision with knowledge of the truth of a matter or subject is a bias prejudice, or preferring the benefit to one person over another for improper reasons.

Impartiality does not require, however, that individuals be treated equally under all circumstances. People or groups should be treated differently if they merit different treatment according to external and objective morality. For example, most legal systems seek to treat murderers differently than innocent persons. This is not a result of partiality, however, because it appeals to an external, objective standard—the law—rather than bias or prejudice. Thus, what impartiality requires is not that everyone receive equal treatment, but rather that everyone be treated as an equal

Philosophers disagree as to whether partiality can be morally admirable. "Partialists" believe partiality may be admirable in certain situations, such as loyalty to spouse, family, and country as against others. "Impartialists" believe that such loyalties are not morally admirable, arguing that all people should be treated equally regardless of one's relation to them. A third view holds that impartiality is only necessary when an individual acts in a certain capacity, such as that of a judge, an umpire, or a public official. Under this view, impartiality is not a universal moral imperative. All religions prefer impartiality in no respects of persons.

 Christianity-"But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons." —Colossians 3:25, KJV

Islam-"The Absolute Criterion of Justice and Equity, was sent down by Allah so that people may conduct themselves with equity." Quran, 52:25.

Judaism-"You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike." —Deuteronomy 1:17,

The question of whether morality demands impartiality is an important one. Two great philosophers, Aristotle and Confucius, both believed in partiality: showing favoritism during one's life to one's family, friends, loved ones, and/or other people.

Morality will be defined as that which is ethical and just; impartiality will be defined as that which is unbiased and unaffected by emotions deriving from personal or mutual relationships; and partiality will be the latter's opposite. An objective morality seems to follow naturally from the idea that moral decisions must be arrived out via an impartial decision-making process. After all, it's easier to arrive at the objectively correct conclusion if you try to free yourself from your biases.