Most of the established laws are focused on punishment for those who have deprived people of their property without just compensation ( Force or Fraud) OR for those who interfere with an orderly society. In the former, I speak of theft or destruction of things a person owns materially or possesses by Natural Law ( honor, dignity, beliefs). In the latter, I speak of rules intended to govern a just society to prevent chaos and disorder.
Can a person commit a crime against him/herself? One cannot possibly steal something from oneself, can one?. The act to do so would imply agreement, wouldn’t it?
Smoking may be hazardous to your health, but if you choose to smoke have you committed a crime against yourself? If you purposefully tattoo your body, have you forced yourself to submit to tattooing or have you surrendered?
What then to make of laws that punish you for not protecting yourself from harm?
Seatbelt laws? Hmmm…
Attempted suicide? Hmm…
Let’s make a list of laws that punish you for failing to protect yourself. Or punish you for failing to prevent harm to yourself.
What are these laws?
2 responses so far ↓
Cari // January 4, 2009 at 2:29 pm
The issue with seatbelt laws is actually one of economics. If you don’t wear your seatbelt, and you get into an accident, police, EMTs, and firefighters may be sent to the scene. This costs money. Need medical attention? Chances are, you’ll need these folks to stick around for some time. You’re sent to the hospital? Don’t have insurance? Or on Medicare? Guess who is going to pay for your care….
ReasonableCitizen // January 5, 2009 at 7:33 pm
I am not so sure. There is always a cost involved, I agree. Yet, is a cost to society a reason to incarcerate a person?
Can you commit a crime upon yourself? If not, then laws intended to change behaviors have no value or merit. Someplace in this argument is ‘committing a crime against society as whole’. Like aiding and abetting criminals without actually committing a crime against another.
I don’t hold to the theory that social costs (paid or borne by government) are a reason to punish somebody. No jail time because your social cost is too great is my thinking.
So why do we have these laws that punish people if no crime has been committed?