1. Killings in western culture are usually out of contempt for that person but usually not revenge for them having killed someone. Except maybe in street gangs where people eliminate threats to power, the Yanomamo kill because of fights escalating out of anger. Usually over reproductive or survival resources.
2.Deaths do not seem to happen "naturally" among these people but rather because of revenge or mysterious deaths can be attributed to magic or curses brought about. Revenge is necessary among these people or else they appear cowardly and subject to attack.
3. Being unokais is a good thing because that means that you have done your due diligence to make known who you were killing and why so things appear fair and square. If you do a revenge killing withouth it being know, you yourself and a prime target to have revenge brought on you.
4.
5.The laws that enforce killing is a representation of societies values. Human life is valued so much, that if you take it from someone, it is only fair to take it from you as an example for other not to do it and as retribution for such an action.
I'm not sure I agree with your first answer. Generally is the contempt created by infidelity?
ReplyDeleteLike Steven, I too think contempt is not usually a reason for killing someone in Western cultures. I think it is usually driven by some type of need for personal gain or for protection of some sort. However, I agree with your comparison with the gang killings that often kills for purposes of not only revenge, but the increase in personal status within their group and also possibly for deterrence of being attacked in the future.
ReplyDeleteA little short on information in parts 2 and 3. Section #4?
In your last paragraph, I'm confused as to which culture you are talking about, Yanomamo or Western cultures? We value life so highly that we take it from someone? Is our justice system primarily based upon retribution (like the Yanomamo) or on deterrence?