The subject of revenge is fascinating to me because it is the most ancient form of justice (I researched a lot about it for my book :-) Before the state took over the role of administering law and order, individuals and their kin would be responsible for obtaining their own justice for any wrongs done to them via complicated systems of v…
The subject of revenge is fascinating to me because it is the most ancient form of justice (I researched a lot about it for my book :-) Before the state took over the role of administering law and order, individuals and their kin would be responsible for obtaining their own justice for any wrongs done to them via complicated systems of vengeance (or gift-giving and payment). Honor and status were entirely dependent on one's ability to retain the upper hand in these situations (and help one's friends and family). Failure to do so meant humiliation and loss of status. Obviously, this could lead to a cycle of violence, which is why societies have mostly agreed that this function is best handled by the (hopefully) impartial third party of the state. Of course, that doesn't stop everyone...
That's part of the whole system of duels and to some extent feudalism. The ability to take revenge on people for simple things. Some people do try to use the third party to attack people and get revenge too. Which is one of the sad aspects of taking revenge.
Exactly. That's a great point about people taking advantage of the third party to get revenge, especially in our litigious society. No system is perfect and the instinct for revenge is always there under the surface. It's also there in things like cancel culture...
For sure, the destruction of other people is much easier when you’re not thinking about the person in reality. It fulfills the emotional desire for revenge.
The subject of revenge is fascinating to me because it is the most ancient form of justice (I researched a lot about it for my book :-) Before the state took over the role of administering law and order, individuals and their kin would be responsible for obtaining their own justice for any wrongs done to them via complicated systems of vengeance (or gift-giving and payment). Honor and status were entirely dependent on one's ability to retain the upper hand in these situations (and help one's friends and family). Failure to do so meant humiliation and loss of status. Obviously, this could lead to a cycle of violence, which is why societies have mostly agreed that this function is best handled by the (hopefully) impartial third party of the state. Of course, that doesn't stop everyone...
That's part of the whole system of duels and to some extent feudalism. The ability to take revenge on people for simple things. Some people do try to use the third party to attack people and get revenge too. Which is one of the sad aspects of taking revenge.
Exactly. That's a great point about people taking advantage of the third party to get revenge, especially in our litigious society. No system is perfect and the instinct for revenge is always there under the surface. It's also there in things like cancel culture...
For sure, the destruction of other people is much easier when you’re not thinking about the person in reality. It fulfills the emotional desire for revenge.