Actually, on closer reflection of the posts here, I would have to alter my stance towards the death penalty.
I am not against it for any reason of morality as far as killing a guilty and/or deservant human is concerned. The reason why I oppose the death penalty is that humans who act as judges and juries are fallible, and therefore a death penalty will place the suspect in a state from which he or she can never be retrieved or pardoned.
If some legal establishment revolution or development arose, after which we could say with 100% accuracy that we can deduce the truth of a person's guilt or innocence, then I would say that the death penalty's greatest obstacle would be removed (ie the accidental killing of an innocent). Of course, this may also very well remove all need for the death penalty anyway, since any potential criminal would know that his or her guilt would surface regardless. In my opinion, the knowledge of getting caught is even more effective a deterrent than the threat of death.
So I am against it because of logistical problems, not primarily through moral problems. If I were to be executed tomorrow, I would be pretty unhappy about it, but I don't pretend that it would signal a crushing blow to the morality of the future human race.
I am not against it for any reason of morality as far as killing a guilty and/or deservant human is concerned. The reason why I oppose the death penalty is that humans who act as judges and juries are fallible, and therefore a death penalty will place the suspect in a state from which he or she can never be retrieved or pardoned.
If some legal establishment revolution or development arose, after which we could say with 100% accuracy that we can deduce the truth of a person's guilt or innocence, then I would say that the death penalty's greatest obstacle would be removed (ie the accidental killing of an innocent). Of course, this may also very well remove all need for the death penalty anyway, since any potential criminal would know that his or her guilt would surface regardless. In my opinion, the knowledge of getting caught is even more effective a deterrent than the threat of death.
So I am against it because of logistical problems, not primarily through moral problems. If I were to be executed tomorrow, I would be pretty unhappy about it, but I don't pretend that it would signal a crushing blow to the morality of the future human race.
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