I know we all have this theory about punishing children and people as a disciplinary method. We punish criminals for violating the law. We punish consumers when they violate their contractual obligation. Who is there to punish the person who dish out the punishment? What are the philosophical grounds for punishment?
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Philosophy of Punishment
- Thread starter ilikeyou
- Start date
Molzahn
Legacy Member
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
"Who will guard the guards."
This is a a uniquely intriguing philosophical and moral playground. Does might make right? Will the loudest voice win? Or is there something inherent within human nature which drives our internal compasses to right and wrong?
A study into group psychology demonstrated how blindly we may punish those around us based on little or no rational justification. A group of monkeys were placed in a cage with a rope leading to treats (sweet juice, in this case). Whenever a monkey would climb the rope beyond a certain length, every other monkey would be sprayed with a hose. The monkeys collectively began beating and punishing any of the group who tried to climb the rope.
The study continued by removing the hose and replacing one of the monkeys with a new monkey unfamiliar with the set up. The group of monkeys would beat the new one if it tried climbing the rope and it eventually joined the group mentality and conformed to the behaviour. This was repeated over time until all of the monkeys present in the cage were not of the original set up with the hose. The monkeys continued to beat any individual who would climb the rope because of the ingrained, taught behaviour. Despite there no longer being a negative side effect to the group, it still carried forward behaviours designed to avoid the hose. Consider society as a whole and how we too may have ingrained (and obsolete behaviours) we perpetuate needlessly.
"Who will guard the guards."
This is a a uniquely intriguing philosophical and moral playground. Does might make right? Will the loudest voice win? Or is there something inherent within human nature which drives our internal compasses to right and wrong?
A study into group psychology demonstrated how blindly we may punish those around us based on little or no rational justification. A group of monkeys were placed in a cage with a rope leading to treats (sweet juice, in this case). Whenever a monkey would climb the rope beyond a certain length, every other monkey would be sprayed with a hose. The monkeys collectively began beating and punishing any of the group who tried to climb the rope.
The study continued by removing the hose and replacing one of the monkeys with a new monkey unfamiliar with the set up. The group of monkeys would beat the new one if it tried climbing the rope and it eventually joined the group mentality and conformed to the behaviour. This was repeated over time until all of the monkeys present in the cage were not of the original set up with the hose. The monkeys continued to beat any individual who would climb the rope because of the ingrained, taught behaviour. Despite there no longer being a negative side effect to the group, it still carried forward behaviours designed to avoid the hose. Consider society as a whole and how we too may have ingrained (and obsolete behaviours) we perpetuate needlessly.
exploreandrespawn
Legacy Member
I like that quote from above "who will guard the guards". I think society is driven by punishment way too much. We go overboard with the idea of controlling behaviour. I really think that it is time that we dump the belief of punishment, and instead use positive thinking and reward.
However, that is also a bad thing. If your punishers start to use reward, that means that they will be deciding which actions deserve the reward. This is, in all intents and purposes, crappy as well. I've said this before, and will say it again. Leave people to live by their own free will. If they do not want you in their life, then leave. If they do not like the choices you have chosen, tell them to screw off.
What has this to do with punishment? Much. For people often dole out punishments to those they deem 'different'. So, we have to get to a point in society where personal choice is accepted, as long as it does not hurt living things. There is nothing accomplished when our choices hurt others, man or beast.
However, that is also a bad thing. If your punishers start to use reward, that means that they will be deciding which actions deserve the reward. This is, in all intents and purposes, crappy as well. I've said this before, and will say it again. Leave people to live by their own free will. If they do not want you in their life, then leave. If they do not like the choices you have chosen, tell them to screw off.
What has this to do with punishment? Much. For people often dole out punishments to those they deem 'different'. So, we have to get to a point in society where personal choice is accepted, as long as it does not hurt living things. There is nothing accomplished when our choices hurt others, man or beast.