Administrative / Constitutional Law

Eye for an Eye

By William Ian Millere
Cambridge University Press February 2006

Specifications

ISBN-13
9780521856805
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Publication
February 2006
Format
Hardback
Jurisdiction
U.K. ? Countri(es) for reference only

Details

Analysing the law of the talion - an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth - William Ian Miller presents an original meditation on the concept of 'pay back'. Miller's unique theory of justice offers redemption through retaliation, espousing the view that revenge requires a deep commitment to balance in order to get even in a strict but fair manner. As a result we find that much of what is assumed to be justice, honour or respect is a way of providing this balance.

Moreover, according to its biblical roots, the laws of the talion imply that the value of an eye can only be matched with another eye, suggesting that body parts are currency. Applying this concept to the real world, Miller looks at Shylock's pound of flesh bargain, at blood oaths, and at other societies and cultures, comparing the ancient, and supposedly more primitive, with their modern counterparts.

Table of Contents

Contents:
Preface: a theory of justice?
1. Introductory themes: images of evenness
2. The Talion
3. The Talionic mint: funny money
4. The proper price of property in an eye
5. Teaching a lesson: pain and poetic justice
6. A pound of flesh
7. Remember me: mnemonics, debts (of blood), and the making of a person
8. Dismemberment and price lists
9. Of hands, hospitality, personal space and holiness
10. Satisfaction not guaranteed
11. Comparing values and the ranking game
12. Filthy lucre and holy dollars
Conclusion.
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