An eye for an eye: People agree about the values of body parts across cultures and eras

By: Yunsuh Nike Wee, Oklahoma State University; Daniel Sznycer, Oklahoma State University, and Jaimie Arona Krems, University of California, Los Angeles, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: December 30, 2025

Words: 1,432

Last Updated: 1 week, 4 days ago

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By Yunsuh Nike Wee, Oklahoma State University; Daniel Sznycer, Oklahoma State University, and Jaimie Arona Krems, University of California, Los Angeles

The Bible’s lex talionis – “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot” (Exodus 21:24-27) – has captured the human imagination for millennia. This idea of fairness has been a model for ensuring justice when bodily harm is inflicted.

Thanks to the work of linguists, historians, archaeologists …

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