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Lex Talionis Definition

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Lex Talionis Definition
All over the world there is crime committed however, justice is only served in some cases. How can an unlawful villain commit a terrifying crime and the victim receives no justice in return? When justice fails, we may turn to an earlier type of justice which is no longer considered a way of punishment in the United States. ‘An Eye for and Eye and a Tooth for a Tooth’ is a saying in the Old Testament. This view means that if one commits a crime then the punishment shall be a mirror image of the crime. We should let punishment be determined by the crime committed and not depend on a justice system to sentence the suspect to the minimum extent. Not all criminals are sentenced for life or put on death row and some commit the crime again therefore, …show more content…
For example Wikipedia says, “The term lex talionis does not always and only refer to literal eye-for-an-eye codes of justice (see rather mirror punishment) but applies to the broader class of legal systems that specify formulate penalties for specific crimes, which are thought to be fitting in their severity. Some propose that this was at least in part intended to prevent excessive punishment at the hands of either an avenging private party or the state. The most common expression of lex talionis is "an eye for an eye", but other interpretations have been given as well. Legal codes following the principle of lex talionis have one thing in common: prescribed 'fitting' counter punishment for a felony. In the famous legal code written by Hammurabi, the principle of exact reciprocity is very clearly used. For example, if a person caused the death of another person, the killer would be put to death.” (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 2016).What does it really mean when you take eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth? Eye for an eye, Tooth for a tooth. Are we really taking …show more content…
Is this an act of revenge? Is this legal to do this act? In modern day society people would find this a harsh act or torture, however there is reasons for this kind of punishment.What are the reasons for this type of punishment? Consequences must be enforced so what would make the criminal not do the crime again? He murders a guy for his wallet, therefore he should be killed because he took a life of another human being. Would this be appropriate of doing so? In the bible there are many misunderstood verses. For example, Leviticus 24:18 states “beast for beast” (The November Coalition, 1997). Therefore, Murderer for Murderer. Criminals must be punished because of two reasons. According to Ethics: Theory and Practice, “First, punishment is required in order to reestablish the balance of morality, which is disturbed when someone violates laws or moral rules. Such laws and rules are established in order to achieve a balance in a given society between individual rights and the common good, and when crime is committed, the balance is upset and must be restored. According to the retributivist, punishment is the only way to correct this imbalance. Second, the benefits that a society brings to its members carry with them the burden of self-restraint, and anyone who alleviates himself of this burden acquires an unfair advantage.
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