Does curiosity really kill the cat? The power of inquiry in Restorative Justice
This is a blog by Simone Mitchell-DaCosta. Simone is a dedicated social justice advocate with extensive experience in social justice policy, practice and research. She currently serves as a Restorative Justice Officer at the Ministry of Justice in Jamaica where she has been instrumental in implementing and facilitating RJ programmes at the community level. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Portsmouth, focusing on the effects of lay participation on justice and governance processes.
Most of us will know from 7th grade biology or through experiential learning that the body goes into fight or flight mode when it’s under threat. Recently, I came across an emerging perspective which suggests that the fight or flight principle, which has historically framed human reactions to threat and conflict, is possibly outdated.
My interest in the power of curiosity and how it manifests in Restorative Justice was sparked by reference to a study of free-roaming mice. When they encountered a potential threat, such as the odour of a predator, the mice didn’t instinctively freeze, go into attack mode or high-tail out of the situation. Rather, there was a back and forth ‘yo-yoing’ between retreating from and advancing towards the threat. I made immediate connections to a similar kind of movement in Restorative Justice, where participants build curiosity through a process of engaging and dis-engaging through the uncertainty and discomfort of vulnerability, shame and guilt. Undoubtedly, curiosity motivated by self-interest, judgment and manipulation can have detrimental effects. More often than not, however, the RJ process hinges on a skillful and curious exploration that prioritises respect, empathy and a genuine desire for understanding. In this sense, curiosity may kill the cat but satisfaction will bring it back.
The duality of inquiry
‘Curiosity kills the cat’ is often used to caution against delving too deeply into matters that are better left alone, lest uncomfortable truths (about others or ourselves) are uncovered, leading to further conflict or strife. The adage has a rich history and there are variations of this cautionary tale in other cultures and languages.
Implicit in its unabridged version – ‘Curiosity kills the cat and satisfaction brought him back’ – is a fascinating duality of discovery and progress mixed with the potential for risk and discomfort.
RJ challenges the notion that curiosity is inherently negative
Restorative Justice challenges the notion that curiosity is catastrophically negative and shifts the emphasis from fear of inquiry to appreciation of its potential.
1. Curiosity as a tool for understanding harm
RJ places a strong emphasis on understanding the underlying causes of harm within communities. There is another saying – ‘the same day the leaf falls is not the same day it rots.’ In this context, curiosity becomes an essential tool for uncovering the nuances of conflict, including the motivations, emotions and systemic issues driving it. This inquisitive approach not only challenges assumptions but also allows for a more compassionate understanding of all parties involved in conflict. By promoting curiosity, RJ moves away from a blame-centric model of justice towards one that values empathy.
2. Empowering voices through inquiry
At the end of one RJ meeting that I facilitated, a man beaming with satisfaction shared that it had been a ‘mighty long time’ since he had felt this important. He was a semi-literate farmer from a deep rural community. For many reasons, he – and others like him – had been silenced or overlooked by traditional justice systems. Engagement with the RJ process not only validates their experiences but also emphasises the importance of diverse narratives.
3. Fostering collaborative problem-solving
Curiosity becomes a bridge that connects those impacted by harm, facilitating negotiation and understanding rather than division and hostility. At the end of another RJ meeting, 2 young women formed the view that they were embroiled in a ‘generational war’ and there was no good reason for their current stand-off. Long before they were born, there was a disagreement between their grandparents. Though they both had slightly different understandings of how the feud had come to be, it was clear from an early age that they were fated to be enemies. They had no free will in the matter. Sadly, this familial tradition had already been passed down to their primary school-aged children. The Restorative Justice meeting was an opportunity for them to look beyond the divisions that they had inherited and question how they had come to be.
4. Encouraging continuous learning and growth
Arguably most importantly, RJ can provide an avenue through which we become more curious about ourselves – our beliefs, behaviours and intentions. For participants, this can be a painful yet wonderful journey of self-discovery, leading to healthier relationships and stronger communities.
Curiosity as a pathway to healing
In the Restorative Justice space, curiosity is more than an impulse to know. It is an essential tenet that underpins the potential for understanding and healing. Through its dynamic interplay of inquiry, vulnerability and empathy, RJ illustrates that while curiosity might temporarily ‘kill the cat’, the rewards of self-discovery and community healing far outweigh the risks. Ultimately, as the adage suggests, curiosity may provoke discomfort, but the satisfaction of understanding will always bring the cat back – more informed, more empathetic and more connected.
Do you have a similar idiom in your own culture? Let us know via info@why-me.org.
