Single Idea 19867

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / D. Justice / 3. Punishment / a. Right to punish]

Full Idea

Reparation and restraint are the only two reasons why one man may lawfully do harm to another, which is that we call punishment.

Gist of Idea

Reparation and restraint are the only justifications for punishment

Source

John Locke (Second Treatise of Government [1690], 008)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Two Treatises of Government' [Everyman 1988], p.120


A Reaction

But by 'reparation' does be mean retribution, or compensation? He doesn't rule out capital punishment, but that may qualify as maximum restraint.