My niece asked me this morning the difference between punishment and consequence. As I pondered the question, I considered some examples to relate the concept to her. Though I didn't actually tell them to her, I thougtht I might explore them here.
A ball dropping is a consequence of the existence of gravity--it can exist outside of the realm of right/wrong and intention. It seems a punishment is a result of a behaviour that is outside of an accepted norm. You are punished for stealing an apple because society says that stealing apples is wrong. There is not really a natural and immediate consequence like the gravity example, though there might be an immediate social consequence--you will at least be ostracized and avoided as a theif. People will no longer be able to trust you.
It seems to me that part of the difference between a consequence and a punishment is human emotion. A consequence can exist outside of the realm of human emotion but punishment, even in its most basic form, is a vengeful act--it is a human (or perhaps Godly) reaction to an unwanted stimulus or action.
1 comment:
punishment is a bad way, we can't change people
Post a Comment