Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!att!osu-cis!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!mailrus!ames!xanth!wet
From: wet@xanth.cs.odu.edu (Warren E. Taylor)
Newsgroups: comp.ai
Subject: Re: Free Will & Self Awareness
Message-ID: <5323@xanth.cs.odu.edu>
Date: 24 May 88 21:46:46 GMT
References: <770@onion.cs.reading.ac.uk> <1177@bingvaxu.cc.binghamton.edu> <1176@cadre.dsl.PITTSBURGH.EDU>
Distribution: comp
Organization: Old Dominion University, Norfolk Va.
Lines: 50

In article <1176@cadre.dsl.PITTSBURGH.EDU>, geb@cadre.dsl.PITTSBURGH.EDU (Gordon E. Banks) writes:
 In article <31024@linus.UUCP> bwk@mbunix (Barry Kort) writes:
 >It is not uncommon for a child to "spank" a machine which misbehaves.
 >But as adults, we know that when a machine fails to carry out its
 >function, it needs to be repaired or possibly redesigned.  But we
 >do not punish the machine or incarcerate it.
 >
 >Why then, when a human engages in undesirable behavior, do we resort
 >to such unenlightened corrective measures as yelling, hitting, or
 >deprivation of life-affirming resources?
 >
 
"Spanking" IS, I repeat, IS a form of redesigning the behavior of a child.
Many children listen to you only when they are feeling pain or are anticipating
the feeling of pain if they do not listen. Many "modern" types do not agree
with this. I am certainly not for spanking a child every time he/she turns
around, but there are also times when it is the only appropriate action. This
occurs when a child repeatedly misbehaves even after being repeatedly informed
of the consequences of his behavior. I have an extremely hard-headed nephew
who "deserves" a spanking quite often because he is doing something that is
dangerous or cruel or simply socially unacceptable. He is also usually
maddeningly defiant.

You only need to observe a baby for a short while to see a very nearly       
unadulterated human behavior. Young children have not yet been "socialized".
They are very self-centered, and most of the time care only for themselves.
This is why they scream "mine" and pitch fits at the slightest resistance to
their will. Many people do not realize that a child has learned to manipulate
their parents pretty well about the time they have learned to toddle. They know
just how far they can push a parent. Haven't you ever seen a child keep doing
something you are telling him "no" for until you give the slightest indication
that you are going to get up to deliver that spanking you've promised? They  
then promptly quit. Lots of parents then sit back down. This has allowed the
child to learn your tolerance point. There is a 100% chance he will do it 
again soon. In such a case, you need to get up and spank the child, even after
he has stopped because you got up. I remember similar occurrences with my
nephew when I babysat him. His "no-no" was trying to play with an electrical
outlet. I solved the problem by giving him 2 warnings, and if that did not
do it, an unavoidable paddling followed. He learned quickly that it was not
worth the pain to defy me.

Adults understand what a child needs. A child, on his own, would quickly kill
himself. Also, pain is often the only teacher a child will listen to. He
learns to associate a certain action with undesirable consequences. I am not
the least bit religious, but the old Biblical saying of "spare the rod..." is
a very valid and important piece of ancient wisdom.


Flame away.
   Warren.