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lockecole
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If somebody (John) hurted somebody else (Mary) breaking the law and John can not be punished by anybody in any way other than Mary hurting John breaking the law too, should Mary still punish John?
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lockecole said:If somebody (John) hurted somebody else (Mary) breaking the law and John can not be punished by anybody in any way other than Mary hurting John breaking the law too, should Mary still punish John?
Well, in some type of society, we might think that to get your nose tweaked by the victim (or the victim's relatives) in public would be such an assault on the offender's sense of dignity that this public act might suffice as punishment for any crime committed.lockecole said:If somebody (John) hurted somebody else (Mary) breaking the law and John can not be punished by anybody in any way other than Mary hurting John breaking the law too, should Mary still punish John?
One way I could see this situation as potential is if John and Mary are the only two on an island, and they have reached an agreement (i.e, a law) not to "initiate" force against one another (the nose example by Arildno). So, let us consider the morality of the situation you ask. As you can clearly see, it is only John that is a law breaker in your example at the present time, not Mary, because Mary does not "initiate" force.lockecole said:If somebody (John) hurted somebody else (Mary) breaking the law and John can not be punished by anybody in any way other than Mary hurting John breaking the law too, should Mary still punish John?
no.lockecole said:If somebody (John) hurted somebody else (Mary) breaking the law and John can not be punished by anybody in any way other than Mary hurting John breaking the law too, should Mary still punish John?
In order that society does not break down into "feuds", punishment should be carried out not by individuals but by the society as a whole.
lockecole said:If somebody (John) hurted somebody else (Mary) breaking the law and John can not be punished by anybody in any way other than Mary hurting John breaking the law too, should Mary still punish John?
lockecole said:If somebody (John) hurted somebody else (Mary) breaking the law and John can not be punished by anybody in any way other than Mary hurting John breaking the law too, should Mary still punish John?
John_Charles_Webb said:Its a chicken/egg item. Without 'law enforcement' we are in a Darwin context.
What if John hurt Mary out of negligence, instead of criminal intent? He may have 'broken the law' but it was not intentional.
Metaphysicians would say that whatever John did to Mary was a cosmic 'payback' for one of Mary's past transgressions... even as far back as a past life and has nothing to do with John in the here and now.
Jikx said:something along the lines of: "is it resonable for someone to break the law to punish someone else who broke the law, if that was the only way to punish those responsible"
The answer to this question depends on the specific circumstances of the situation. If John knowingly and willfully broke the law, then it may be appropriate for Mary to punish him. However, if John was not aware of the law or was coerced into breaking it, then Mary may consider other options besides punishment.
The consequences of punishment can vary depending on the severity of the law that was broken and the type of punishment given. Possible consequences may include fines, community service, or imprisonment. Punishment can also have long-term effects on a person's reputation and future opportunities.
Fairness is a subjective concept and can depend on individual perspectives. However, from a legal standpoint, if John has broken the law, then it may be fair for him to face consequences. The severity of the punishment should be determined based on the severity of the offense and not by comparing it to others who have also broken the law.
Depending on the circumstances, there may be alternative options for Mary to consider besides punishment. These may include mediation, restorative justice, or rehabilitation programs. It is important for Mary to consider the underlying reasons for John's behavior and choose an appropriate course of action that addresses those reasons.
Preventing future law-breaking behavior from John is not solely Mary's responsibility. However, if Mary is in a position of authority or influence, she can help by providing guidance and support to help John learn from his mistakes and make positive changes in his behavior. This may involve setting clear expectations, providing resources for education and support, and offering consequences for future violations.