Is Killing Wrong?

A Study in Pure Sociology

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book Is Killing Wrong? by Mark Cooney, Donald Black, University of Virginia Press
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Author: Mark Cooney, Donald Black ISBN: 9780813928357
Publisher: University of Virginia Press Publication: October 7, 2009
Imprint: University of Virginia Press Language: English
Author: Mark Cooney, Donald Black
ISBN: 9780813928357
Publisher: University of Virginia Press
Publication: October 7, 2009
Imprint: University of Virginia Press
Language: English

Although "thou shalt not kill" is perhaps the most fundamental legal and moral principle, Mark Cooney finds a remarkable lack of consistency in the handling of homicide not only between but within the whole range of human societies. Equality before the law doesn't exist, but not for the reasons, such as prejudice, that we expect. Legal and moral principles can't explain why one killer is condemned and another acquitted or lauded. The "social geometry" of status and social distance among killer, victim, and third parties does. Incredibly wide-ranging in its 'data set'--Cooney looked at all societies, in all time periods, for which data is available.

The crux of the argument--"social geometry"--is that the relative power relationship between killer and victim determines the harshness of the punishment. Pure sociology removes all subjective factors and maps pure data.

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Although "thou shalt not kill" is perhaps the most fundamental legal and moral principle, Mark Cooney finds a remarkable lack of consistency in the handling of homicide not only between but within the whole range of human societies. Equality before the law doesn't exist, but not for the reasons, such as prejudice, that we expect. Legal and moral principles can't explain why one killer is condemned and another acquitted or lauded. The "social geometry" of status and social distance among killer, victim, and third parties does. Incredibly wide-ranging in its 'data set'--Cooney looked at all societies, in all time periods, for which data is available.

The crux of the argument--"social geometry"--is that the relative power relationship between killer and victim determines the harshness of the punishment. Pure sociology removes all subjective factors and maps pure data.

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