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MartinII · 70-79, M
It’s wrong in all circumstances, for two reasons. First, that mistakes will be made. Second, that the act of execution demeans all those who take part in it or witness it. Anyone who doubts this should read Oscar Wilde’s great poem The Ballad of Reading Gaol.
I understand why you might be undecided. There are many crimes where one thinks the perpetrator deserves to die. And there are some circumstances where the existence of the death penalty might act as a deterrent. But I don’t think these considerations override the moral objections.
I understand why you might be undecided. There are many crimes where one thinks the perpetrator deserves to die. And there are some circumstances where the existence of the death penalty might act as a deterrent. But I don’t think these considerations override the moral objections.