Should Executions Be Made Public?
Yes
Side Score: 30
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No
Side Score: 27
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Executions have always been known to 'bring the community together', so to speak. The Spanish used to put the heads of the Englishmen they killed on poles in their markets. The commonfolk in revolutionary France would gather together to watch the nobles be executed. Side: yes
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Humans are barbaric. No matter how civilized they may act or think they are, deep down they're as vicious as a lion. Gladiatorial combats were adored during ancient times; surely, if they were reincarnated, they would be nearly as popular. There would be many who oppose, but many more would still like it and endorse it. Humans have a 'need' for destruction and death - they are violent by nature. Public executions could satisfy that need. If you were to see somebody violently executed, would you want to commit a crime that would place you in a similar position? Side: yes
1. I'm actually against executions only because we kill the wrong guy far too often. However, in a perfect world where the death penalty could work in a... I won't say just because that it is not just, but a fair manner at least, then it should be mandatory that it be public. If society is comfortable enough as a whole to judge whether an individual deserves to live or die, then that society should be forced to see first hand the consequence of their judgment. It is a weakness in man, that we demand man or beast be killed for us, yet we are not "man" enough to watch it happen. If we cannot stomach our own actions, then we should not commit to those actions. Side: If one is to be executed then yes
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Think of this: if you happen to be a potential murderer or rapist, and you see someone else who has been convicted of murder or rape get their neck snapped by a noose, would you honestly not be even a little bit more reluctant to murder or rape? The only reason the death penalty isn't effective at deterring crime is because 1. It's not used enough and 2. It always happens in some secluded area out of sight and out of mind from the general public. Side: yes
yes, and we should bring back public hanging!!!! Blaaah blaaahhhh bllaaah RACIST AND MEAN. I do not commit crimes for 2 reasons!!!! 1. I am too pretty to go to Jail!!!!!!!(l0l) 2. I am afraid of the same of being known as a felon!!!! we use to put shoplifters pictures on a board at a retail store entrance.... why to shame and point out these people for who they are. there is not fear of crimes these days both from a physical and mental factor. the punishment does not meet the crime!!!!! Side: yes
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That was one of the main arguments for stuff like capital punishment, but statistically they don't have any real effect on crime rates. The people who commit crimes typically aren't smart enough to weigh the consequences, or they wouldn't commit them in the first place. Side: If one is to be executed then yes
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Here..., let me Google that for you. You're gonna love this ;) Side: yes
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First of all, some executions are determined to be mistakes after they're a done deal, so they're a bad idea in general. Just one mistake is too many, is it not? Secondly, the purpose of executions is to protect society from dangerous individuals (although simple imprisonment would likely suffice), not to cultivate a taste for sadistic voyeurism in the citizenry. Might not public executions also cultivate some of the same qualities in the average citizen that are being punished in the criminal, if the public is conditioned to appreciate death and suffering, whether physical or psychological, as a possible form of entertainment? Thirdly, it's gratuitous. It adds insult to injury to a person who very well may have been an outstanding individual if only he/she hadn't been regularly beaten, or repeatedly raped, or born into abject poverty and given a generally violent upbringing. The movie "Monster", starring Charlize Theron, is about this point exactly. Let's try having respect for all human life, even if that human life had no respect for any human life, shall we? Practicing contempt and sadism is a sure way to become a monster yourself. Side: No
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I agree with some of your points. Execution is not a good idea one mistake is definitely too many, besides it is too good a fate for some of the animals that are out there. It is also as you put gratuitous. I think it is for different reasons though. Wanting to watch someone die is sadistic, but I do not think it would cultivate a taste for sadistic voyeurism in the general public, not one that doesn't already exist any way, those that would be willing to watch it have that need in the first place and probably get their fix from other sources. I also don't think you can blame society for the action of individuals whatever their upbringing. Many fine people have come from abject poverty, were regularly beaten, molested or worse. It does not define their character. I think that watching someone die as means of entertainment says more about the individual that watches it then could be expressed in volumes of books. Lastly we should have respect for all life especially that of humans and I think your closing line sums it all up perfectly. Side: No
While it's true that some individuals overcome the adverse conditions of their upbringing, not everyone does. Oprah is a good example of the former, Aileen Wuornos is a good example of the latter. Oprah was strong enough to take control of her life and grow into a successful adult. She's very personally gifted, and was very fortunate. Miss Wuornos got stuck in a psychological rut and became consumed by her hatred of herself and of the world. Everyone is different, and everyone has his or her own unique life experiences. Although some people, like Scott Peterson, who commit unpardonable crimes have led ostensibly ideal lives, most criminals have sustained psychological trauma of some sort that has adversely affected their ability to manage their own thoughts and feelings, and their ability to respect not only others but themselves. I, for one, can't bring myself to blame such criminals for who they've become. This is not equivalent to pardoning their wrongdoings, but I refuse to demonize them for them. It's important to remember that complete recovery from these hardships is the exception rather than the rule and that, no matter appearances, the human mind is actually a very fragile thing. Side: No
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