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Consider the following descriptions of the 'Retributive Theory' of punishment: 1. 'punitive; to recompense: to pay back; to make a return to; in the way of requital' 2. To return the same injury to…

Question and options

Consider the following descriptions of the 'Retributive Theory' of punishment:
1. 'punitive; to recompense: to pay back; to make a return to; in the way of requital'
2. To return the same injury to the wrong doer which he had committed against the victim
3. It says, 'a tooth for a tooth' and 'an eye for an eye'
Which of these descriptions is/are correct?
  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: D - 1, 2 and 3
The retributive theory treats punishment as requital: the offender is paid back for the wrong done. It demands that the same injury be returned to the wrongdoer, as in the maxim 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth'. Each of the three descriptions states part of this idea, so all three are correct.

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