![]() Early versions translated “salmat qaqqadim” as black-headed people. Translation can even have racial implications. These are different concepts: witchcraft is a power traditionally believed to be possessed within a person, while sorcery is a learned practice. The second law deals with “kispu.” Kispu has been translated as sorcery by some and witchcraft by others.Each of these are different terms under the law. The first law deals with “nertu.” Nertu has been translated as capital crime (a crime where the possibilities of punishment include death) homicide (the killing of a person) and manslaughter (taking a life without the intent to kill).A look at translations of the Code’s first two laws reveals this: Every translation has important differences. Many translations of Hammurabi’s Code have appeared in many languages. Why is it necessary for governments to regulate such areas as construction? It is believed these laws will ensure quality and help prevent tragedies. However, instead of punishments such as death, governments today create laws that prescribe minimum standards. Laws have continued to evolve to ensure construction standards. If it destroys property, he shall replace anything that it has destroyed and, because he has not made sound the house which he has built and it has fallen down, he shall rebuild the house which has fallen down from his own property. If a builder has built a house for a man and has not made his work sound, and the house which he has built has fallen down and so caused the death of the householder, that builder shall be put to death. The Code made builders responsible for their work: To what extent should laws regulate wages in society? Builder’s Responsibilities For example, a 2013 Swedish referendum asked voters if executive pay should be capped at 12 times what the lowest-paid worker at that company makes. This has led some people to call for maximum wage laws. However, these laws have not stopped growing economic inequality. Today, most industrialized countries have minimum wage laws. If a man has hired an ox-herd, he shall give him 6 GUR of corn a year. If a man has hired a farm-labourer, he shall give him 8 GUR of corn a year. Is an eye for an eye a reasonable way to restore order after a wrong has been committed? Minimum Wages ![]() It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding it seeks to annihilate rather than to convert. The old law of an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind. It is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. said: Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. For example, in his book Stride Toward Freedom American Civil Rights activist Dr. While retribution has a role in achieving justice, some people believe that “an eye for an eye” can set off a dangerous cycle. If a man knocks out the tooth of a free man equal in rank to himself, they shall knock out his tooth. If a man has put out the eye of a free man, they shall put out his eye. The age-old adage of retaliation “an eye for an eye” finds roots in two of Hammurabi’s laws dealing with assault: Why must the law protect everyone equally? Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth Today the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees that “Every individual is equal before and under the law.” Among other things, this means that there is one set of criminal laws for all Canadian society. In short, slaves were dealt with as property and not as equal human beings. If he puts out the eye of a (free) man’s slave, or breaks the bone of a (free) man’s slave, he shall pay half his price. For example, while “an eye for an eye” applied if a free man was the victim of an assault, slaves were dealt with differently: Not all people were treated equally under Hammurabi’s laws. Why is it important that judges have flexibility to determine appropriate punishments? Equality under the Law Because each case is unique, most laws today spell out a range of punishments that judges can choose from. For example, stealing a mint from your grandmother’s candy dish is not the same as stealing her retirement savings. ![]() One problem with absolute punishments is that every case is unique. ![]() If a son strikes his daughter, his hands shall be hewn off. If a man has committed robbery and is caught, that man shall be put to death. The Code’s punishments are outrageously harsh:
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