Dominic, going back a couple of days.....
>Incarceration is arguably more punitive - more *lastingly* punitive,
>in any case, since the incarcerated person's suffering is not brought
>to an abrupt end.
Lastingly perhaps, but not more traumatically punitive, surely (and I'm not referring to the actual execution, I mean the trauma of awaiting one's fate on death row, a violence in itself).
>The killing of a miscreant ends as well as asserts the polwer of the judge and
>executioner: he is dispatched to god, if you like, beyond human judgement
>which acknowledges itself powerless to comprehend or to redeem. The
>attempted reform of a miscreant implies that there is potentially no end to
>the power of society - of civilisation, in effect.
In lieue of "there is potentially no end to the power of society - of civilisation", wouldn't it be closer to the mark to substitute the word "hope" for "power"? * to suggest, that there is potentially no end to the hopes one has for society, for civilisation? "Hope" seems more open-ended ... maybe all we have available to us when we consider the future of the UN, for instance.
Best to you,
Ralph
This transmission is intended solely for the person
or organisation to whom it is addressed.
It is confidential and may contain legally privileged information.
If you have received this transmission in error,
you may not use, copy or distribute it.
Please advise us by return e-mail or by phoning 61 3 62338203
and immediately delete the transmission in its entirety.
We will meet your reasonable expenses of notifying us.
Despite our use of anti-virus software, Forestry Tasmania cannot guarantee
that this transmission is virus-free.
|