Source: (2011) Revisioning Justice. Restorative Justice Week 2011. Correctional Services Canada.
As a relational theory of justice, RJ is rooted in
a relational understanding of human beings and
the world. It starts from the fundamental assumption
that human beings are inherently relational. This
is more than merely a description about the way
in which we live or a claim about the benefits that
relationships bring. Human beings do indeed live
in relationships with one another, but, a relational
theory claims that we could not do otherwise.
We are, on this account, formed in and through
relationship with others. Relationship is central
to who we are and who we become. This is not to
say that we are just the sum of our relationships
or wholly determined by them. We still make
choices for ourselves and are responsible for
those choices. But a relational approach reveals
the extent to which our choices are made
possible by and realized with the help of others.
Our choices also affect others. (excerpt)
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