Would a lawyer be considered "symbiotic" or "parasitic" to us as a species?

Question

Would a lawyer be considered "symbiotic" or "parasitic" to us as a species?

Answer 1

Parasitic - we don't need lawyers to survive, and although an argument could be made for mutual benefit, most of us won't need a lawyer in all our lives.  All lawyers aren't bad - some offer worthy services, but it is still parasitic as they feed off our situations that could use them.  Not to bash lawyers - I have used them in the past.  Just that by the definition of a "symbiotic" relationship, lawyers/society doesn't apply.

Answer 2

symbiotic.

Let face it, we aren't all going to sit around the campfire singing Kumbaya anytime soon (nice as that would be).  When two people are in conflict over a point of law, and cannot find common ground, a court case is vastly superior to killing one another or continuing to violate whatever is in dispute (copyright ownership, amount of money owed vs work done, division of assets in a divorce settlement, etc.)

In terms of criminal law, it is important to our way of life that all accused of a crime receive a fair trial.  And keep in mind that the defense attorney is not the only lawyer in the courtroom, the prosecutor must also be knowledgeable about the law in order to demonstrate that the defendants actions were a violation of the law.  

In short, they are our primary means of dispute settlement - which though not savory seeming is better than the alternatives (violence and lawlessness).

They also help craft law (politicians) so that the laws are less likely to be misinterpreted and do what the politicans intend the law to do.