Aristotle’s quote, “Equity is that idea of justice which contravenes the written law,” speaks to the concept that true justice may sometimes require going beyond what is explicitly written in the law books. Equity, in this context, refers to fairness or justice in the way people are treated. Aristotle implies that sometimes, the strict interpretation of the written law may not provide a fair or just outcome. Hence, the concept of equity should be applied to ensure justice.

In essence, this quote is about the spirit versus the letter of the law. The letter of the law refers to the literal interpretation of the laws as they are written, while the spirit of the law refers to the idea or intent behind the law. Aristotle suggests that sometimes, to achieve real justice, we may need to focus more on the spirit of the law rather than its letter.

Applying this to today’s world, we often see instances where the strict application of the law does not necessarily result in justice. For example, in some cases, mandatory minimum sentencing laws may result in overly harsh punishments that do not fit the crime or take into account mitigating circumstances. In such situations, a judge applying Aristotle’s concept of equity might argue for a more lenient sentence that better aligns with the idea of justice.

In terms of personal development, this quote can inspire us to think more deeply about our own sense of justice and fairness. It encourages us to consider whether we are being overly rigid in our interpretations of rules or norms, and whether a more flexible, equitable approach might lead to fairer, more just outcomes. It also prompts us to question whether the rules or laws we follow are truly just, or whether there might be room for interpretation and flexibility in order to achieve greater fairness.