Theme E : Crime and punishment Flashcards
Christian beliefs about good and evil (intentions and actions)
- teachings in the bible warn against having any evil or wrong thoughts + intentions
Quote - “You shall not commit adultery.” - Evil actions like violence are considered sinful and against God
- Because of original sin all humans will do evil things even though they are not evil in themselves
Reasons for crime (christian + buddhists views)
Poverty (c) - wrong but people should do what they can to help them so they don’t need to steal
(b) - goes against 2nd moral precept (to abstain from taking what is not freely given)
Upbringing (c) - Parents should teach their child the right way to behave through their own actions and words
(b) - people need supportive conditions growing up to learn to behave ethically.
Mental illness (c) - Help treat the cause of the illness as its loving and compassionate
(b) - leads people to inflict suffering on themselves and others
Addiction (c) - against illegal drugs and support rehabilitation to overcome addicition, alcohol is acceptable in moderation
(b) - Goes against 5th moral precept which encourages Buddhists not to take drugs
Greed (c) - Ten commandments forbit envy which causes greed
(b) - 3 poisons, unskillfull and leads to suffering
Hate (c) - Jesus taught Christians to love everybody, including enemies
(b) - 3 poisons and main cause of suffering
Opposition to an unjust law (c) - agree if no violence is involved
(b) - may disobey a law that exposes prejudice and hatred
Views about people who break the law (hate crime, theft and murder)
Hate crime (c) - condemn hate crime as they believe God created all humans equal
“Love thy neighbour.”
(b) - 3 poisions and opposite from emotions Buddhists try to aim (metta and karuna), no justification for it, causes harm to themselves and others
Theft (c) - against 10 commandments
(b) - against 2nd moral precept, strengthens the habit of greed
Murder (c) - only God has the right to take life, goes against 10 commandments
(b) - breaks 1st moral precept, inflicts suffering on victim/family.
Aims of punishment
Retribution - to get your own back
(c) - Some support death penalty (“eye for and eye, tooth for a tooth,”) but some think they should be punished harshly but not killed.
(b) - form of violence and therefore wrong, a person will suffer anyway, because of the principle of kamma. (“We should not seek revenge on those who have committed crimes against us”)
Deterrence - to put people off committing crimes
(c) - agree with it as long as its not too harsh
- oppose carrying out punishments in public because it can humiliate the offender rather than treating them with respect
(b) - important to protect society from certain criminals by imprisoning them
Reformation - change someone’s behaviour for the better
(c) - agree as it works with individuals to improve their life chances
(b) - agree as they prefer it when the criminals are encouraged to change and become more responsible + sensitive to others.
Treatment of criminals
Prison (c) - used for serious crimes, treated well and involved in positive activites and education to reform
(b) - aim should be to protect society from dangerous criminals, may also give them time and space for rehabilitation
Corporal punishment - physical pain
(c) - against it as it does not seek to reform the offender so its harmful and negative punishment
(b) - against moral 1st moral precept
Community service (c) - agree as it allows offenders to make up for what they did, deters them from committing future crimes and reforms them by making them realise the consequences of their actions
(b) - agree but needs to directly address the crime and help the criminal see the impact of their actions.
C+ B beliefs about Forgiveness
C - Jesus taught forgiveness and forgave those who crucified him (“Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing”)
(“not seven times, seventy seven times”) - no limit to the amount of forgiveness they show to someone
B - if people do not forgive they will suffer because they will continue to be angry and resentful.
Forgiving a criminal does not mean their actions will not have consequences. They will be punished by the law or because of the principle of kamma (unskilful actions lead to suffering)
C + B beliefs about death penalty
C - sanctity of life is the idea that all life is holy is created by God, and only God can take it away.
Some c agree with the death penalty and use teachings from Old testament to support their views (“Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed”)
B - breaks first moral precept and doesnt allow rehabilitation.
Not possible to relieve suffering of the victim by making the offender suffer
death penalty - utility
- states an action is right if it produces the maximum happiness for the greatest number of people affected by it
- if the use of the death penalty is proven to protect society - creating happiness for a greater number of people - it can be justified
