Quote:
Originally posted by Timber Loftis:
uss, in the U.S. *punishment* is an expected purpose of criminal law. I realize that in most of Europe, the only justifiable reasons for criminal sentences are rehabilitation and safely removing dangers from society. Here, two big uses for criminal punishment are revenge (unwritten, but it's obvious) and also discouraging criminal behavior in others.
You may or may not consider these legitimate goals.
In accomplishing both of those goals, a painful execution is arguably better.
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Punishment is a goal, although it should be a just punishment, not a punishment out of revenge. Only where revenge and jusitce meet should it be considered approporiate. Otherwise, why bother with the whole fair trial thing and impartial sentencing, a lynch-mob is much cheaper [img]smile.gif[/img] . And as for detering crime, the prospective punishment has been seen to be wholey ineffective as a deterant factor. It was discovered that it was the chance of being cuaght which was far more important, although obviously some sort unacceptable punishment must be behind this. However, if there were a death penalty for crimes which people did not think they would get caught for, it would not for the vast majority of people act as a deterant.
[ 05-25-2005, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: Aragorn1 ]