A Few Relevant Reflections

Coincidentally, I was searching for a copy of Camus' "Reflections on the Guillotine" (bizarrely not available online) as the whole Troy Davis execution brouhaha was occurring in Georgia.

Camus does present several excellent arguments against the death penalty, but there were a few points that I think spoke more to the guillotine specifically, and not so much lethal injection. And the argument for prohibition was off-putting.

Some things that were thought-provoking:

"None among us is authorized to despair of a single man ... But pronouncing the definitive judgment before his death, decreeing the closing of accounts when the creditor is still alive, is no man's right."

"According to M. Grand, the lowest of criminals when faced with execution withdraws into himself. 'He repents and his preparation for death is thereby facilitated. The Church has saved one of its members and fulfilled its divine mission. This is why it has always accepted the death penalty, not only as a means of self-defense, but as a powerful means of salvation.'"

Interesting POV on the last quote (though whatever happened to 'Thou shalt not kill'?). I suppose peace of mind and acceptance of death, innocent or guilty, would have a lot to do with strength of faith -- i.e., judgment in the afterlife is what truly matters. Rare to find that nowadays.

"For there to be equivalence, the death penalty would have to punish a criminal who had warned his victim of the date at which he would inflict a horrible death on him and who, from that moment onward, had confined him at his mercy for months."

Personally, I don't think I could seek the death penalty against someone. I think life in prison, and the total absence of freedom for the rest of your days, is more punishing. But, I can accept that others do feel the need for "justice," and society happens to allow this.

The two things that bug me about the Troy Davis episode: 1) he died still proclaiming his innocence -- which to me means he was, because why lie when you're at the end of your life? and 2) the police officer's family made some comment to the effect of 'why is everyone acting like he's the victim? we're the victims!' -- BOTH families are victims.