I was going to make this thread about people's opinions regarding the death penalty, but then I got to thinking. Simply asking what people think of the death penalty probably isn't going to produce the most meaningful conversation, and personally I would prefer a well thought out discussion over a lively (yet pointless) argument. So I have decided to change my approach. Instead of just putting my opinion out there so that people can either agree or disagree with me, I felt it would be more beneficial if I were to ask this question instead:

What is the purpose of Capital Punishment?

I think most of us here would agree that killing a person is a serious matter that deserves serious consideration, regardless of if you are for or against capital punishment. Considering, I felt that this common ground was a good place to start the discussion. I assume that if you advocate the death penalty, you do so because there is a good reason for having it i.e. a purpose or multiple purposes. So what are they, and how is capital punishment justified by those purposes?

I’ll start with my opinion. Realistically, I feel that there is no other purpose to capital punishment besides legal revenge. And though I don’t necessarily feel that revenge is never permissible (sometimes revenge and justice parallel each other), I do understand revenge for what it is. However my point is this; Is revenge enough of a reason to have capital punishment even though there are many more reasons to do away with it?

By now, you may be wondering the reasoning behind my opinion, such as why I feel captial punishment isn't justice, retribution, a better deterrent, more economical, safer for society, etc. I feel that it would be pointless to preemptively address each argument before such arguments are even made, so I think it would be better if I address each one as they come.