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“Judicial execution can never cancel or remove the atrocity it seeks to punish; it can only add a second atrocity to the original one ... So long as one sees killing as wrong there is no need to waste time with the deterrent argument, since it would be nonsense to try to prevent a theoretical evil…” quote by Auberon Waugh
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“Judicial execution can never cancel or remove the atrocity it seeks to punish; it can only add a second atrocity to the original one ... So long as one sees killing as wrong there is no need to waste time with the deterrent argument, since it would be nonsense to try to prevent a theoretical evil in the future by perpetrating an actual one in the present.”

Auberon Waugh

About This Quote

Source Essay: “The Ethics of Capital Punishment” by Auberon Waugh, 1975

Executing criminals adds another act of killing, compounding moral harm rather than delivering justice.

In simple terms: Capital punishment creates a second wrongdoing.

Key Takeaway

Seek alternatives to lethal punishment.

Themes

ethics justice violence

Mood

serious reflective

Type

philosophical political

When to use this quote

  • court sentencing
  • human rights advocacy
  • policy reform

Key Concepts

moral philosophy state power deterrence

Questions to Reflect On

  • Is there a humane way to protect society?
  • Can restorative justice replace execution?
A Different Perspective

Deterrence arguments may sway public opinion.

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