A civil society is one where disputes are settled by reasonable means. From this, it
can be inferred that violence is excluded from civil society except under emergency or self-
Capital punishment is completely irrational from the standpoint of a civil society, but
are we civil? We've had thousands of years of human civilization to realize the fact that
governments will, sooner or later, abuse power and that is exactly what is happening. The
existence of the death penalty shows there is approval of violence and the taking of life. The
death penalty is an action that reflects on all of society, not just those who initiate it. It's an
action that makes a great number of us feel less than human. The execution of a person
would have to be one of the most despicable acts ever committed by man. It reflects on all of
We have to ask the question: Are we supposed to be ruled by reason, or by emotion?
Irrational behaviour by the authorities of society breaks the social contract. If our leaders are
not obliged to behave rationally, then it is implied: no one is obliged to be rational! And, the
cost would be chaos. So, in the absence of any evidence of a deterrent, capital punishment is
nothing more than an animalistic reaction that has the effect of lessening the value of human
life, while costing us our ideals. It is a loss of positive ethos, the same thing that places us
Punishment, except when used as a form of rehabilitation, is nothing more than revenge.
Rehabilitation is an acceptable requirement for access back into society, with the exception of
those who put others in danger. As for committing a crime such as first degree murder, an
appropriate, rational course of action would be to have the individual spend life in solitary
confinement. This way society would be protected while lessening the dollar cost.
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