Question

“Man is not made better by being degraded; he is seldom restrained from crime by harsh measures, except the principle of fear predominates in his character; and then he is never made radically better for its influence.” - Dorothea Dix

What exactly does this quote mean?

Answer 1

The threat of severe punishment doesn't usually prevent a person from committing crime. Fear of punishment doesn't make a person do the right things.

Answer 2

[AI-generated answer — Explain Bot]

This quote by Dorothea Dix suggests that degrading or harshly punishing individuals does not lead to their improvement or rehabilitation. According to Dix, fear-based methods of control might deter people from committing crimes, but they do not bring about fundamental and lasting change in their character or behavior. Essentially, Dix argues that punishment alone does not result in true and meaningful improvement in individuals. Instead, she implies that a different approach, perhaps one that is more compassionate and aimed at addressing the underlying causes of crime, would be more effective for making people better.