When is Killing or Punishing a Human Being Justifiable?

When or what circumstances make it a moral act to end somebody's life. Or do you think it is never moral to kill somebody at any given time, circumstance or place? Carefully justify your view regarding these cases.

Is it moral to kill a pedophile, a serial killer, of which to none of their fault, have parts of their brain responsible for feelings of empathy and self-restraint, things they had no control over and just mere victims of their biology as some people are hardwired genetically to develop a cancer at a particular time in their lives? DO you think that it is moral not to punish these people? Instead treat them as ill patients, as we would treat terminally-ill patients?

I believe that in no circumstances is anyone justified to take another person's life.

However if you were to look at the two cases of the death sentence or assisted suicide, I consider those justified.

When a mass murderer is sentenced to the death penalty, whether or not he/she deserves it, is justified because keeping this person in society has little value. You may argue that this person could be rehabilitated and bought back into society, but that costs money, and those lives that this person killed, will never return.

In terms of assisted suicide, some people go through excruciating amounts of pain and if they feel that ending their lives is more worthy than staying alive and experiencing that pain. Then doctors who are assisting them are justified, only if by using their judgement and experience that this patient would be better off passing away peacefully as opposed to suffering to the end.

On a side note, shouldn't this topic be a part of the Controversial discussions Category?

I wouldn't say that it is justified, but it is acceptable to kill another person if they are trying to kill you and there is no other possible option to prevent being killed.

nanox wrote: I wouldn't say that it is justified, but it is acceptable to kill another person if they are trying to kill you and there is no other possible option to prevent being killed.

That would fall under self-defense wouldn't it? As opposed to killing someone.

nanox wrote: I wouldn't say that it is justified, but it is acceptable to kill another person if they are trying to kill you and there is no other possible option to prevent being killed.

Fair enough, But when it comes to neurological disorders. Is it moral to kill a pedophile, a serial killer, of which to none of their fault, have parts of their brain responsible for feelings of empathy and self-restraint, things they had no control over and just mere victims of their biology as some people are hardwired genetically to develop a cancer at a particular time in their lives? DO you think that it is moral not to punish these people? Instead treat them as ill patients, as we would treat terminally-ill patients?

I already gave you my answer.

nanox wrote: I already gave you my answer.

Yes, but when you are no longer in an actual threat by these people, and you have them as captives. Do you think it is moral to punish them or kill them on the basis that they are sick people, who just happened to have part of their brain dysfunctional or a tumor growing in their brains making them a handicap to self-restraint and feelings of empathy?

When Jesus is nailed on the cross, he told his followers, "father forgive them (the jews and romans), for they do not know what they are doing". So i believe from the christian point of view, the right thing to do is not to punish them.

joestarbill wrote:
In terms of assisted suicide, some people go through excruciating amounts of pain and if they feel that ending their lives is more worthy than staying alive and experiencing that pain. Then doctors who are assisting them are justified, only if by using their judgement and experience that this patient would be better off passing away peacefully as opposed to suffering to the end.

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Hm I agree. I also think that any person have the freedom to end their lives as they wish. But again, a person who is depressed, a person who is suffering from an illness, who certainly isn't thinking straight and would rather die, we have to deny his or her request and strive hard to do what we can to offer maybe companionship and emotional support that person may need, or give that person the appropriate medical support. But then again, who are we to think that we know better than they do when it comes to decisions about their life? It is a dilemma I can't get my head around.....

jasonlovecamera wrote: When Jesus is nailed on the cross, he told his followers, "father forgive them (the jews and romans), for they do not know what they are doing". So i believe from the christian point of view, the right thing to do is not to punish them.

Hm but it was Jesus who introduced the idea of hell. It was in the new testament that those who deny Jesus as the son of God will be faced with eternal torment. There was nothing in the bible that abolishes the idea of hell. So what Jesus said, basically means nothing.