4 ms·
This is not punishment, this is revenge. Punishment is a corrective action, this breaks them even more. By the way, this is extremely dangerous - to paraphrase
by psionski 13y ago
This is not punishment, this is revenge. Punishment is a corrective action, this breaks them even more. By the way, this is extremely dangerous - to paraphrase Nietzsche: in solitude, whatever you bring with you grows. Do we really want whatever they're bringing to grow?
- simonbarker87 13y agoGood point, I wasn't thinking of the revenge aspect. I guess the system in this case feels like it's purpose is to exact revenge on behalf of society
- AnthonyMouse 13y agoI don't really buy revenge as a distinct thing from punishment. Revenge is just the lizard brain's conception of punishment as a general method for social behavior modification without the benefit of statistics or specific evidence. Which is the reason why it isn't a legitimate goal. Punishment in proportion to the offense and targeted using evidence to achieve the desired results can be socially beneficial. Revenge is nothing but undirected violence rooted in irrational anger and fear.
- deleted 13y ago[deleted]
- psionski 13y agoYou have quite different intentions when you're punishing your child because he didn't do his homework vs. when you're punishing your friend because he stole your girlfriend. In one case you aim for blood, in the other - for betterment and growth. Intention makes all the difference here, otherwise, they are, like you say, both just forms of violence.
- InclinedPlane 13y agoPrecisely so, the criminal justice system is incredibly vengeful. The widespread toleration of sexual assault against prisoners is perhaps the easiest proof of that.
- w_t_payne 13y agoI agree. A cruel and vengeful society breeds yet more cruelty and vengeance: The evident evil of the machinations of the state becomes a cancer that twists and sickens our collective conscience.