Moral justification for the execution of criminals of war?

[Deesse23]

Please re-read what you wrote here, and let it sink in for 5 seconds.

I'd say that a life sentence is pretty much the end of a meaningful human existence.

A lot of people, including people who are serving a life sentence, disagree with you.
A lot of people who found a meaningful life behind bars demonstrate you being wrong with this generalisation.
Of course your life would be meaningful behind bars, maybe under any circumstance, i dont deny that.

[Jehanne]

I'd say that a life sentence is pretty much the end of a meaningful human existence.

A lot of people, including people who are serving a life sentence, disagree with you.
A lot of people who found a meaningful life behind bars demonstrate you being wrong with this generalisation.
Of course your life would be meaningful behind bars, maybe under any circumstance, i dont deny that.

And, how is ending the life of a criminal punishment?? Granted, for some, there may be much sorrow, anguish and regret prior to their execution; for others, they relish their opportunity to stand on the World Stage for their 15 minutes of fame; still others embrace their end and go quietly, even happily, to the execution chamber.

With an execution, the only victims are among the living, some of whom (the executioners and even victims' families) suffer lifelong trauma from the ordeal.

[Macoleco]

A lot of people, including people who are serving a life sentence, disagree with you.
A lot of people who found a meaningful life behind bars demonstrate you being wrong with this generalisation.
Of course your life would be meaningful behind bars, maybe under any circumstance, i dont deny that.

And, how is ending the life of a criminal punishment?? Granted, for some, there may be much sorrow, anguish and regret prior to their execution; for others, they relish their opportunity to stand on the World Stage for their 15 minutes of fame; still others embrace their end and go quietly, even happily, to the execution chamber.

With an execution, the only victims are among the living, some of whom (the executioners and even victims' families) suffer lifelong trauma from the ordeal.

I find it interesting that the level pain inflicted towards the criminal is the main balance for deciding between life sentence or death penalty.

I have always thought that those who oppose death penalty because they believe life is valuable above all. But I never considered that some perhaps just wish to inflict more pain upon the criminal.

[Jehanne]

And, how is ending the life of a criminal punishment?? Granted, for some, there may be much sorrow, anguish and regret prior to their execution; for others, they relish their opportunity to stand on the World Stage for their 15 minutes of fame; still others embrace their end and go quietly, even happily, to the execution chamber.

With an execution, the only victims are among the living, some of whom (the executioners and even victims' families) suffer lifelong trauma from the ordeal.

I find it interesting that the level pain inflicted towards the criminal is the main balance for deciding between life sentence or death penalty.

I have always thought that those who oppose death penalty because they believe life is valuable above all. But I never considered that some perhaps just wish to inflict more pain upon the criminal.

The system is one of personal revenge -- if the victim's family wants it, the prosecution may pursue it, otherwise, they typically do not.

[bennyboy]

I'd say that a life sentence is pretty much the end of a meaningful human existence.

A lot of people, including people who are serving a life sentence, disagree with you.
A lot of people who found a meaningful life behind bars demonstrate you being wrong with this generalisation.
Of course your life would be meaningful behind bars, maybe under any circumstance, i dont deny that.

I have apparently failed to make my point clear.

My earlier point was that from a pragmatic perspective, execution should save money and totally eliminate the chance of re-offense-- but that point was refuted on the basis that the execution process (in the US at least) is exceedingly expensive.

But I don't think that should be the case. If execution merits appeals, lots of expensive legal work, and so on, SO DOES a life sentence, because the loss of quality of life is so drastic.  When I say that a life sentence is the end of a meaningful human existence, I base that on the loss of agency involved in imprisonment, and on the loss of the pleasures that a free person may enjoy, especially in the US. Yes, some can to some degree make lemonade out of their lemons, but I suppose they would much rather be outside, where they can exercise free will and intent.

[Deesse23]

Well, end of a meaningful existence is far from being the same as a less meaningful existence only being possible, which i would not argue against. Thus, life sentence is/can be way, way better than execution, because execution per definition allows no (meaningful) existence at all, while a life sentence does to a certain degree, contradicting your original claim.

[Jehanne]

Well, end of a meaningful existence is far from being the same as a less meaningful existence only being possible, which i would not argue against. Thus, life sentence is/can be way, way better than execution, because execution per definition allows no (meaningful) existence at all, while a life sentence does to a certain degree, contradicting your original claim.

An execution is no existence, and hence, no more punishment. It is the ultimate "neutral" state. Life imprisonment is far less satisfying than life without imprisonment; extremely few individuals choose to go to jail. As I said, executions are punishment for the living, not the dead.

[onlinebiker]

It used to be that the death penalty was a deterrent to the more sane criminal types. But with the soft methods we now use - lethal injection - it' s less so.

Now - the worst penalty is " being put to sleep" like a beloved pet.....


Crucifixion or disembowling on the other hand might actually make some people think twice about killing the neighbor...

[Jehanne]

It used to be that the death penalty was a deterrent to the more sane criminal types. But with the soft methods we now use - lethal injection - it' s less so.

Now - the worst penalty is " being put to sleep" like a beloved pet.....


Crucifixion or disembowling on the other hand might actually make some people think twice about killing the neighbor...

You're probably correct, but, are there alternatives, like, gun control??

[Angrboda]

A lot of people, including people who are serving a life sentence, disagree with you.
A lot of people who found a meaningful life behind bars demonstrate you being wrong with this generalisation.
Of course your life would be meaningful behind bars, maybe under any circumstance, i dont deny that.

I have apparently failed to make my point clear.

My earlier point was that from a pragmatic perspective, execution should save money and totally eliminate the chance of re-offense-- but that point was refuted on the basis that the execution process (in the US at least) is exceedingly expensive.

But I don't think that should be the case.  If execution merits appeals, lots of expensive legal work, and so on, SO DOES a life sentence, because the loss of quality of life is so drastic.  When I say that a life sentence is the end of a meaningful human existence, I base that on the loss of agency involved in imprisonment, and on the loss of the pleasures that a free person may enjoy, especially in the US.  Yes, some can to some degree make lemonade out of their lemons, but I suppose they would much rather be outside, where they can exercise free will and intent.

The difference is that a life sentence represents reversible error, whereas execution involves irreversible error. Decisions regarding irreversible error demand more resources, due to the irreversibility of getting it wrong.