11-10-2009, 07:48 PM
>We need to be clear on why there is a death penalty. It clearly does not deter crime. It is for the relief and satisfaction of the victims' families and society at large.
I agree. With the level of organization in modern human society, there's no reason to put someone to death so that their threat to society is eliminated. Don't get me wrong, if it was my loved one who was killed, I'd be vengeful too. But then again, I'd be vengeful against a drunk driver who killed a loved one. If we let vengeance/justice be the only motive to put someone to death, then we remove any rational argument for it. What we should be concerned about is elimination of the threat to society, not revenge.
I agree. With the level of organization in modern human society, there's no reason to put someone to death so that their threat to society is eliminated. Don't get me wrong, if it was my loved one who was killed, I'd be vengeful too. But then again, I'd be vengeful against a drunk driver who killed a loved one. If we let vengeance/justice be the only motive to put someone to death, then we remove any rational argument for it. What we should be concerned about is elimination of the threat to society, not revenge.