Introduction
Art has been one of the universal forms of self-expression and mediums of communication of human experience. At the same time, the law is one of the human inventions that contribute to the consolidation of society in adhering to these laws, promoting them, or being against them.
Discussion
Like art, the law is a form of the expression of human ideas. Therefore, it is no wonder that the intersection of art and law inspires many examples of political art in genres like street art, music, (slam) poetry, dance, literature/drama, and film.
All these artistic expressions evoke a sense of unity within humankind. It is the unity around people’s true values, such as freedom, respect, dignity, protection of themselves and their loved ones, and equality. Therefore, it acts as a moral compass that helps find direction to what is right and wrong. As such, films such as “Twelve Angry Men”, “A Time to Kill”, and “Compulsion” elaborate on a controversial topic in our society. It makes viewers question what they would do if placed in film circumstances (Boncompagni, 2019). Thought-provoking artworks like that serve the higher purpose of shaping a mindful society that is ready for challenging moral dilemmas.
Conclusion
Unlike the statistical reports that provide numbers, the artworks can convey feelings and emotions, which are an integral part of the human experience. They can sometimes act as a bias in legal decision-making. Art provides people with an extraordinarily unique experience that is not likely to happen in real life. But one could learn from this experience and form himself as a more self-aware citizen and a person who is aware of the injustices and moral dilemmas that other people face. As a result, art contributes to the creation of more “complete” and whole persons, as noted by Martha Nussbaum.
Reference
Boncompagni, A. (2019). Hinges, Prejudices, and Radical Doubters. Wittgenstein-Studien, 10(1), 165-181.