Posted by Gabbix2 on February 4, 2006, at 15:33:29
In reply to Re: Andrea Yates made bail » Gabbix2, posted by alexandra_k on February 4, 2006, at 4:57:31
and if ones beliefs and desires are caused by something outside of our control (our genes and environment) then even our 'choices' are determined by factors outside our control.
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> I think... that is the way it goes for everybody. that is why I don't believe in retribution...
>I really don't know. I don't know how I could know, I think about it a lot.
I've often thought about how limited diagnoses are and how what is seen as someone being plain cruel, or mean, and deserving of punishment is perhaps really no more in the person's control than someone having brown hair.We all have aspects of our personality we can't seem to fight, and I wonder if they have the same trouble, and with no more ill intent, but because those traits cause harm to others, they are judged.
If I "lose it" I'll start crying uncontrollably in the supermarket, if they "lose it" they beat someone to death....
Even if that was the case, If I knew for sure, I still wouldn't know how I feel about retributive justice, or how much is reasonable to expect. I think it's too easy to ponder these ideas in theory, but not have been devastated by the actions of someone who may not have been able to control it.
If someone hurt me I could forgive them, but if someone tortured someone I love, or a helpless animal I'm not sure I could.I'm just glad I'm not in the position to have to make a decision on it for others.
> how have you been? haven't chatted to you in a while...
>
Yeah, I've been a little preoccupied.. to long a story to get into though.You?
poster:Gabbix2
thread:605722
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20060204/msgs/606350.html