Is an Eye for an Eye Compensation a Just Punisment?

507 Words3 Pages
IS AN EYE FOR AN EYE COMPENSATION A JUST PUNISMENT? "Eye for an eye" is a theory of punishment derived from a Biblical verse. It means doing something back to someone who has wronged you in some way as the way forward. In a word it means revenge. As for example if someone kicks you, it's only fair you kick them back. If a country bombs you, you bomb them back. If a religion kills some of your people, you kill them back. If someone takes your eye, you take theirs. I do not believe that an eye for an eye compensation a just punishment because it makes the victim as cruel as the criminal. For example, if a man mugged a women on a city street and stabbed her, then an eye for an eye logic, she would not only mug him back but also stab him as well. Therefore, there will be no difference between the criminal and the victim. According to Kant’s categorical imperative act so as to treat others and yourself always as ends, never simply means to ends. We should recognize others individuals capable of leading their own life. But whenever a criminal gets the same punishment he does, then that criminals moral value falls. He became a part of an experiment which Kant’s duty ethics never support. Kant says human should not be treat as a part of an experiment. Therefore, the criminal should get the right punishment as a human being. Bentham Utilitarianism suggests that the morally right action in any circumstances is the one that will tend to maximize total happiness. Utilitarianism focus on greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number people. However, utility support depends on the consequence of the crime. If the consequence bring the greater amount of happiness then more people would support it. But killing someone will not support most of the people. That’s why utilitarianism will not support the “eye for an eye” compensation. Bentham’s hedonistic calculus is

More about Is an Eye for an Eye Compensation a Just Punisment?

Open Document