Sex and Society: Studies in the Social Psychology of SexThomas, William Isaac
Science
Sex and Society: Studies in the Social Psychology of Sex
Thomas, William Isaac
Sex; Women -- Social and moral questions; Women -- Social conditions
But checks upon conduct are even more definitely expressed, and
more definitely expressible, than approvals of conduct. Approval is
expressed in a more general expansive feeling toward the deserving
individual, and this may be accompanied with medals for bravery,
promotions, and other rewards; but in general the moral side of life
gets no such definite notice as the immoral side. Practices which are
disliked by all may be forbidden, while there is no equally summary
way of dealing with practices approved by all. In consequence,
practices which interfere with the activities of others are inhibited,
and to the violation of the inhibition is attached a penalty,
resulting in a body of law and a system of punishment. An analysis of
the following crimes and punishments among the Kafirs, for instance,
indicates that a definite relation between offensive forms of
activity and punishments is present at a comparatively early period of
development:
Theft: restitution and fine. Injuring cattle: death or fine,
according to the circumstances. Causing cattle to abort:
heavy fine. Arson: fine. False witness: heavy fine. Maiming:
fine. Adultery: fine, sometimes death. Rape: fine, sometimes
death. Using love philters: death or fine, according to
circumstances. Poisoning, and practices with an evil intent
(termed "witchcraft"): death and confiscation. Murder: death
or fine, according to circumstances.... Treason, as contriving
the death of a chief, conveying information to the enemy:
death and confiscation. Desertion from the tribe: death and
confiscation.[197]
Similarly among the Kukis:
Injuring the property of others, or taking it without payment;
using violence; abusing parents; fraudulently injuring
another; giving false evidence; speaking disrespectfully to
the aged; marrying an elder brother's wife; putting your
foot on, or walking over, a man's body; speaking profanely of
religion--are acts of impiety.[198]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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