Which adjective best describes Inspector Javert?
December 13, 2006 7:47 PM Subscribe
Is there an adjective to describe a person who believes in absolute obedience to the law, as personified by Inspector Javert in "Les Miserables"?
Response by poster: That was quick. Thank you, Father.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 7:55 PM on December 13, 2006
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 7:55 PM on December 13, 2006
I always thought Martinet was the epitome of this.
posted by tdischino at 8:43 PM on December 13, 2006
posted by tdischino at 8:43 PM on December 13, 2006
On a related note, Deontology describes someone who believes in absolute obedience to religion and authority.
posted by fvox13 at 9:01 PM on December 13, 2006
posted by fvox13 at 9:01 PM on December 13, 2006
Could also try "doctrinaire," someone who clings to doctrines or theories without regard to their practicality.
posted by secret.osha at 9:16 PM on December 13, 2006
posted by secret.osha at 9:16 PM on December 13, 2006
We always call them deutschbags, cause Germans seem to like regimentation. But that's probably more of a local usage than you want.
posted by rbs at 9:17 PM on December 13, 2006
posted by rbs at 9:17 PM on December 13, 2006
the emphasis on the "legal" part of this is interesting. but i think "inflexible" and "hidebound" are two other words emphasizing the unchanging nature of his obedience to the law.
posted by artlung at 9:29 PM on December 13, 2006
posted by artlung at 9:29 PM on December 13, 2006
Actually, fvox13, deontology is not absolute obedience to religion and authority, and Wikipedia doesn't say this. In fact, for Kant (said to be the prototypical deontologist, although I have my bone to pick with this view), following authority or religion cannot be a source of morality. Morality for a Kantian deontologist comes from one's own pure practical reason.
posted by ontic at 9:31 PM on December 13, 2006
posted by ontic at 9:31 PM on December 13, 2006
Lawful neutral.
If you like D&D, that is.
posted by breath at 11:23 PM on December 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
If you like D&D, that is.
posted by breath at 11:23 PM on December 13, 2006 [1 favorite]
I was going to say that, breath...
posted by jaysus chris at 5:17 AM on December 14, 2006
posted by jaysus chris at 5:17 AM on December 14, 2006
Another vote for martinet. It's a more common term I believe - I've never heard anyone described as a "legalist."
posted by CunningLinguist at 5:39 AM on December 14, 2006
posted by CunningLinguist at 5:39 AM on December 14, 2006
If you're also looking to describe total obedience to a government or state and not just to the 'law of the land' I quite like the term "True Believer" as personified by The Operative in Serenity.
posted by Science! at 7:18 AM on December 14, 2006
posted by Science! at 7:18 AM on December 14, 2006
Er, authoritarian? I've only seen legalistic used to mean lawyer-obsessed, as in a recent issue of the Economist that called the US 'the most legalistic society on earth' or something.
posted by Mocata at 8:01 AM on December 14, 2006
posted by Mocata at 8:01 AM on December 14, 2006
Micota - legalist and legalistic are different words.
Legalist sounds good, though it has a slightly different meaning in the Chinese tradition.
posted by afu at 11:11 AM on December 14, 2006
Legalist sounds good, though it has a slightly different meaning in the Chinese tradition.
posted by afu at 11:11 AM on December 14, 2006
I've never heard anyone described as a "legalist."
If I had a dollar for everytime I had heard someone called a legalist, I'd have...well, a bunch of dollars. No car payments, for sure. But my domain is primarily church and seminary folk, who use the term to describe people who believe that strict adherence to some Biblical code of conduct or church polity is essential if one is to be saved. I think it fits Javert well because he is clearly religiously motivated (at least in the musical; I'm not so familiar with the book), and there is a clear theme of grace versus works in the story, which is why the character and actions of the bishop are so important. He believes that redemption is possible even for law-breakers. He honors God through his mercy. Javert tries to honor God through rigorous devotion to law and punishment for violators, who cannot be redeemed, only punished.
Okay, that's long, but the point is, you call Javert a legalist around my associates, and there'll be no doubt what you mean. Although martinet might be fine, too.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 12:55 PM on December 16, 2006
If I had a dollar for everytime I had heard someone called a legalist, I'd have...well, a bunch of dollars. No car payments, for sure. But my domain is primarily church and seminary folk, who use the term to describe people who believe that strict adherence to some Biblical code of conduct or church polity is essential if one is to be saved. I think it fits Javert well because he is clearly religiously motivated (at least in the musical; I'm not so familiar with the book), and there is a clear theme of grace versus works in the story, which is why the character and actions of the bishop are so important. He believes that redemption is possible even for law-breakers. He honors God through his mercy. Javert tries to honor God through rigorous devotion to law and punishment for violators, who cannot be redeemed, only punished.
Okay, that's long, but the point is, you call Javert a legalist around my associates, and there'll be no doubt what you mean. Although martinet might be fine, too.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 12:55 PM on December 16, 2006
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Actually, that's a noun. Legalistic is the adjective.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 7:49 PM on December 13, 2006