Simon Boyd writes with great clarity about the potential legacy of criminal behaviour and the inherent imprecision of language relating to its subsequent classification ( Letters, March 6).

The quotation from the German philosopher Heidegger adds a certain intellectual weight to his argument. And I agree.

However, as George Orwell stated in his novel, 1984: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemmed to repeat its future".

Or in other words, we live in a moral society which has a tacit agreement enforced by law that we all conform to an agreed standard and, should this standard be transgressed, the law shall take its course and society can stand in judgement, rightly or wrongly.

Unfortunately, the cause celebre in this matter symbolises the common malaise of our current society and its media-powered judgement.

Mike Tyson is engulfed by his own reputation; a reputation now dated, tainted and undermined. Society maintains a balance. Individuals tip the scales.

But some go too far and no amount of moral philosophy can ever prevent the human potentiality to inflict pain.

-J A Courtney, Portslade