Here is my argument. This argument shows that if there is universal cause and effect, then we shouldn't punish criminals.
1.I committed a crime yesterday. (Assumption of a past action)
2.All events are the results of preceding events (Assumption: Universal cause and effect)
3.All preceding events are the results of events that preceded them (From 2)
4.Events are the result of events from the distant past (From 2 and 3)
5.The crime I committed yesterday was an event that was a result of events from the distant past before my existence (From 1 and 4)
6.It was never in my power to change events in the distant past before my existence (Assumption: Fixed past)
7.It was never in my power to avoid committing a crime yesterday. (From 5 and 6)
8.I should only be punished for events that I have the power to avoid committing (Assumption: Justice)
9.I shouldn’t be punished for the crime I committed yesterday. (From 7 and 8)
2006-09-25 18:17:31 · 8 answers · asked by Michael M 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
If you care to trace it back like that, then I suppose the neurons firing and everything does leave you with little choice in the matter, but the effect of your actions is the action taken to punish you. It's not their fault they're punishing you either. Very nice question though :)
First one that made me think hard in a long time :P
2006-09-25 18:21:27 · answer #1 · answered by Startoshadows 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your argument lacks the following:
1. identification of the cause is the most important for a particular effect. There should not be any mix ups.
2. Cause should be traced for previous life only in a few cases, when there is no answer in the present life.
3. Punishment can be given any time: We cannot always follow the dictum is justice delayed is justice denied. Here justice has not been denied, only delayed.
VR
2006-09-26 06:03:14 · answer #2 · answered by sarayu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Who am I to punish you for the crime you say you committed and then argue you did not ? You are mistaken if you take it as a punishment, it's just another link in the universal cause and effect chain.
In fact nothing but justice can happen in the universal cause and effect assumption.
2006-09-26 01:54:17 · answer #3 · answered by small 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am absolutely positively sure that you could stop yourself simply without punishment Just lock yourself up alone in a room and don't go into public. See? Problem solved.
Ockham's razor cuts again.
2006-09-26 01:38:25 · answer #4 · answered by : ) 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you have shown in your argument is quite simply that one can 'prove' any theory they wish by wording it properly. It is just as easy to prove that justice is the logical outcome of universal cause and effect.
2006-09-26 01:44:44 · answer #5 · answered by therealme 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe you shouldn't be punished. But, you at least need to be kept from committing crime again. If possible you would need to be rehabilitated.
2006-09-26 01:26:11 · answer #6 · answered by devotionalservice 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, based on the above, it's all the fault of the ORIGINAL ACTION..
The problem is that, based on he above, that original action should be something else's reaction..
Funny that Reaction and Creation are anagrams..
:-)
2006-09-26 03:00:56 · answer #7 · answered by Andreba 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that's where the insanity plea comes in, and you can be pumped full of drugs for the rest of your life instead of being gang raped.
or you you can call it a CHOICE...
i like your idea though. interesting.
2006-09-26 01:45:16 · answer #8 · answered by christy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋