Justice or Mercy

Originally posted by rwingett
I think that as long as our demand for justice overshadows our capacity for mercy, then we will forever be locked into a cycle of violence and retribution. Mercy is the way out of that cycle.

I had been waiting for a while to add my opinion, but I think rwingett has said it for me right here.

Originally posted by rwingett
We no longer literally take an eye for an eye, but too often that is the motivation underlying our application of justice. We have abstracted the one 'eye' into a jail sentence and consider ourselves right and just. At its barest minimum, perhaps we are. But a system of justice that exists only (or primarily) to exact punishment is an impoverished one. Unti ...[text shortened]... dit. We should aspire toward mercy and redemption first, and a cold, punishing justice second.

"'An eye for an eye' makes the word blind."

Originally posted by wittywonka
"'An eye for an eye' makes the word blind."

So how do we make our justice system better?

Originally posted by lepomis
So how do we make our justice system better?

Well, in my opinion, the death penatly should be abolished, and pending executions should be converted into life imprisonments.

But before anyone even thinks about it, I would really prefer that the discussion didn't switch to a debate on the death penalty. All you have to do is open a new thread.

Originally posted by wittywonka
Well, in my opinion, the death penatly should be abolished, and pending executions should be converted into life imprisonments.

But before anyone even thinks about it, I would really prefer that the discussion didn't switch to a debate on the death penalty. All you have to do is open a new thread.

I agree with you on the death penalty.

So how do we make our justice system better? In regards to justice and mercy.

Originally posted by lepomis
I agree with you on the death penalty.

So how do we make our justice system better? In regards to justice and mercy.

The focus should be on rehabilitation and not punishment.

Originally posted by rwingett
The focus should be on rehabilitation and not punishment.

So justice is served, mercy lightens the punishment to rehabilitation.

Originally posted by rwingett
The focus should be on rehabilitation and not punishment.

Isn't that a somewhat unrealistic approach for a penal system?

Originally posted by rwingett
The focus should be on rehabilitation and not punishment.

Exactly my own opinion.
Also, I find the concepts of justice and mercy as interwoven. Justice without mercy is mere vengeance, mercy without consideration for its end result is shocking injustice.
I do not see "justice" as vengeance, I see it as impartial decision as to how to overcome a crime and in some way make reparation for it. Reparation in this sense I do not see as punishment of the perpetrator but as that individual coming to a full and implicit realisation of their wrongdoing and the assurance that they will not do such things again. Thus the criminal is dead, the person who was that criminal can go out into society once more.

Originally posted by agryson
Exactly my own opinion.
Also, I find the concepts of justice and mercy as interwoven. Justice without mercy is mere vengeance, mercy without consideration for its end result is shocking injustice.
I do not see "justice" as vengeance, I see it as impartial decision as to how to overcome a crime and in some way make reparation for it. Reparation in this sen ...[text shortened]... e criminal is dead, the person who was that criminal can go out into society once more.

In the US, we have had some very nasty instances of rehabilitated folks being involved in horrible crimes. It has left us a bit wary about the whole process.

Originally posted by lepomis
In the US, we have had some very nasty instances of rehabilitated folks being involved in horrible crimes. It has left us a bit wary about the whole process.

Then surely one should adjust the methods used to rehabilitate or the methods to judge when someone is rehabilitated. The baby shouldn't be thrown out with the bathwater.

Originally posted by agryson
Then surely one should adjust the methods used to rehabilitate or the methods to judge when someone is rehabilitated. The baby shouldn't be thrown out with the bathwater.

I agree, but it doesn't change peoples first reaction to hearing that word.
rehabilitated

Originally posted by lepomis
I agree, but it doesn't change peoples first reaction to hearing that word.
rehabilitated

Of course, even I sometimes feel that it's a vain hope. But abandon that principle and I no longer see it as a justice system, more a vengeance system.

Originally posted by agryson
Of course, even I sometimes feel that it's a vain hope. But abandon that principle and I no longer see it as a justice system, more a vengeance system.

In principle I am all for it, but because there is a chance that rehab did not work, I want that person to serve out their time.

Originally posted by lepomis
In principle I am all for it, but because there is a chance that rehab did not work, I want that person to serve out their time.

If they haven't been rehabilitated, keeping them in there a little longer simply adds to their integration issues after, which could undo the good work. Maybe after rehabilitation is deemed successful, move them to a lower security prison? They serve their sentence to completion, but are being prepared for reintegration into society. Good for them and us that way.