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Old 06-25-2008, 11:45 PM   #77
evman150
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Yen Man View Post
I agree that ideally if there was a way to determine 100% guilt that the death penalty would work. The problem is wrongfully executing an innocent person by mistake.
Question begging in that assumes killing people is ok if the ends justify the means.

Big assumption IMO.

Ends justifying means is only a prima facie reasonable argument when you are talking about quantities that aren't fundamental rights or freedoms. The moment you start talking about people's right to free speech, fair trial, life, the utilitarian perspective has to go out the window unless you want to run into horrific and morally revolting situations. I would argue that the death penalty is one of these horrific situations, the result of a misapplication of the means and ends argument.
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