Arguably, laws exist to protect those that are inherently concerned about order and adherence to it. Arguably, laws lend structure and order, hence peace and predictability, to the social construct and allow those that honor and adhere to conceptual order to feel safe and secure within the construct. This is, unfortunately, an illusion. Innovators (as they are referred to in psycho-social context) exist outside of and in direct contradiction to the established laws. They often use them as a general guideline to be skirted or as an indicator of the degree to which they can violate and not come under legal scrutiny. In this sense, the presence of centrally enforced laws may actually encourage abhorrent behavior. I propose something else, something ancient, and something visceral and altogether at odds with the current trends in social evolution: personal responsibility and direct, proportional retaliation for transgression against individuals. Eye for an eye... Tooth for a tooth, that kind of thing. Yes. I like it. Hmmm, maybe I will try an experiment...
"Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot."
Bible, Deuteronomy xix. 21.
"We ordained therein for them: 'Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal,' " says Surah (Chapter) 5. "But if any one remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself."
Koran
Mercy or retribution, a personal choice maybe? Which empowers and which robs the human spirit, that is ultimately the question. If retaliation is a question of regaining or maintaining personal empowerment against an invasive process or individual, would not the very essence of retaliation be more in tune with self defense?
In ancient (and contemporary if you look hard enough) society, a method must be in place for weeding out those that, volitionally, choose not to play nice. Ultimately, it should be a method that does not involve perpetual care and feeding of the offending individual at the expense of the law abiding.
I have some stones to cast. Examine this life for violations. I am hefting the weight as we spaek...
When prescribed order ties the hands of those that value it in favor of those that scoff and skirt its precepts, the very legitimacy of the law must be adressed.
"Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot."
Bible, Deuteronomy xix. 21.
"We ordained therein for them: 'Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal,' " says Surah (Chapter) 5. "But if any one remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself."
Koran
Mercy or retribution, a personal choice maybe? Which empowers and which robs the human spirit, that is ultimately the question. If retaliation is a question of regaining or maintaining personal empowerment against an invasive process or individual, would not the very essence of retaliation be more in tune with self defense?
In ancient (and contemporary if you look hard enough) society, a method must be in place for weeding out those that, volitionally, choose not to play nice. Ultimately, it should be a method that does not involve perpetual care and feeding of the offending individual at the expense of the law abiding.
I have some stones to cast. Examine this life for violations. I am hefting the weight as we spaek...
When prescribed order ties the hands of those that value it in favor of those that scoff and skirt its precepts, the very legitimacy of the law must be adressed.
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