silmäsilmä

Silmäsilmä is a Finnish term that translates literally to "eye for an eye." It refers to the principle of lex talionis, a legal concept where punishment or retribution should be equivalent in kind and degree to the injury inflicted. This principle is ancient and found in various legal codes throughout history, notably in the Old Testament of the Bible.

In practice, the "eye for an eye" concept suggests that if someone causes harm, such as blinding another person, the perpetrator should suffer the same fate. This is intended as a form of proportional justice, aiming to deter future offenses by ensuring that the punishment directly reflects the severity of the crime. However, the literal application of this principle can be problematic and has often been interpreted metaphorically or as a guiding principle for proportionality rather than a strict mandate for exact replication of harm.

The concept has been debated for centuries. While it emphasizes a sense of balance and fairness, critics argue that it can lead to endless cycles of vengeance and fails to account for mitigating circumstances or rehabilitative justice. Many modern legal systems have moved away from the strict interpretation of lex talionis, favoring more nuanced approaches to punishment that consider a wider range of factors. Nevertheless, the phrase "an eye for an eye" remains a potent symbol for retributive justice.