There is a dilemma philosophically over what members of a community should and could do regarding the beaten child. First, the problem is that a community has to come to an agreement over how to objectify the term "beaten". There is, after all, a difference between discipline and abuse. A society must be careful to whom it gives the permission to objectify the environment. Once this definition is made, however, common sense can prevail when a child is being abused. There are no easy solutions to this problem. This paper will examine the overall dilemma to this issue and consider what Plato and John Locke would say in this context. 6 pgs. 3 f/c. 2b.
