Code of Hammurabi

Code of Hammurabi

Data-based question

Code of Hammurabi

Fair and just?

Code of Hammurabi

• "a tooth for a tooth, an eye for an eye" 以牙還牙以眼還眼

Exceptional case?

• Varied according to social class

• if the victim 受害者 was from lower social class, the offender 犯人 would be fined 罰款 only

Fairness and justice

• Social stability/ social order 社會秩序

• Abolishment 廢除 of life-long slavery

• Minimum wages 最低薪俸

Data-based question (Pg. 39)

With reference to the source given, answer the questions.

Laws from Code of Hammurabi

• (1) If a person blinds others, he shall be made blind, too

• (2) If a doctor causes death or hurts the patient during treatment, his hand shall be cut off

• (3) The person who blinds a slave shall pay the owner one-half his price

• (4) If a person is caught stealing, he shall be put to death

• (5) If a person hits his father, his hand shall be cut off

1. According to the Code of Hammurabi, how would the following criminals be punished?

Case A: A man made the slave of his neighbour blind when they had a fight.

Sentence structure:

According to article ( ), ...

Open Ended

Case A:

A man made the slave of his neighbour blind when they had a fight.

Open Ended

Case B:

A doctor made his patient's left eye blind by mistake

Open Ended

Case C:

A son accidentally knocked down his father with his hand when they were quarrelling.

Open Ended

Case D:

A woman stole a coin from a priest

2.Do you think the above punishment is reasonable (合理)?

Multiple Choice

Case A:

A man made the slave of his neighbour blind when they had a fight.

• Reasonable

• Unreasonable

Multiple Choice

Case B:

A doctor made his patient's left eye blind by mistake

• Reasonable

• Unreasonable

Multiple Choice

Case C:

A son accidentally knocked down his father with his hand when they were quarrelling.

• Reasonable

• Unreasonable

Multiple Choice

Case D:

A woman stole a coin from a priest

• Reasonable

• Unreasonable

Open Ended

Comparing the punishment according to Code of Hammurabi and that according to present laws, which one do you think is more reasonable? Explain your answer