Re: It all comes full-circle ... WMDs found in Iraq

On 8 Sep 2005 13:08:05 -0700, in talk.origins , "Ian H Spedding"
<ian.spedding@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> in
<1126210085.592174.157650@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>
[snip]
>
>That's exactly the question that should underlie any consideration of
>systems of justice. What's the alternative?
>
>Put it another way: suppose you were living in some lawless frontier
>society where there is no law enforcement such as a sheriff and no
>courts closer than three days horseback ride away. Then suppose a
>neighbouring farmer robbed you or raped and murdered a family member.
>What would you do? What do you think other people would do?
>
>My guess is that, rightly or wrongly, most people would take things
>into their own hands. I know I would. What would be the alternative?
>Chalk the whole thing up to experience and move on?
>
>Without a socially-sanctioned justice system offences and grievances
>would most likely be settled by vendetta and that's no way to build a
>stable and prosperous society.
>
>But if, as an individual, I am going to surrender my right to personal
>vengeance to society it is on the understanding that society will
>inflict on my behalf appropriate punishment on any who offend against
>me.

In your scenario is vengeance and punishment really the first thing in
your mind? Me, I would be much more concerned with prevention. In that
scenario it might well be that capital punishment, by the best rule of
law you could have, might be the only alternative since there would
not be the ability to afford a prison. We can afford them, so that is
not the issue for us.

[snip]

--
Matt Silberstein

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.

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