Nathanson considers the following modification of the principle of lex talionis: a punishment should produce an amount of suffering in the criminal which is equal to the amount suffered by the victim. Do you think this is a plausible principle? What objections does nathanson offer to the principle?

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Siena Benson

Social Studies

22 July, 14:19

Nathanson considers the following modification of the principle of lex talionis: a punishment should produce an amount of suffering in the criminal which is equal to the amount suffered by the victim. Do you think this is a plausible principle? What objections does nathanson offer to the principle?

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Lennon · Answer 1

Lex talionis means treating the criminals in the way the criminals treated the victims. In means giving the same sufferings to others as others have caused them suffering.

This principle is not plausible because according to Nathanson, it will make us to act in an immoral way with others. We cannot hijack the hijacker's plane because they did to us. We cannot spy on others because others are spying on us. Nathanson objected the principle because he believes that it is not possible to measure sufferings of others as different people suffered differently. So we cannot bring equal suffering.