What is our position on the use of the death penalty?

@rajudvindane @gounder @abhijithb @akshay @arjun looking for some more views on this - what do you guys say?

I certainly don't believe in 'eye for an eye'. But I have no idea how to think about issues like this which are full of complications of culture, psychology, psychopathology, etc.

same here ..i get in a fix when im asked about stuff like this.. Cuz im not really sure .. my question is , what is the alternative? 'An eye for an eye' - I do not stand by it as well.. I also feel that the death penalty is no terror deterrent.. but I doubt if I'd feel the same way if it were to affect me.. for instance, how do you convince a person who has lost his family to a murderer that the best way to resolve the issue would be to simply put the perpetrator behind bars for a very long time? ..

@arjun there are two different things here. One getting convinced yourself and convincing others. You don't have to accept only things that you can convince others. Then we can never change anything. Also it is ignoring your own capacity to think and decide yourself.

But you see, here, the very choice of our position depends on what works for the society.

@akshay changing society is a an after effect of more people getting convinced.

Considering others is different from using others as an excuse. Do we stop using internet till everyone in the society has internet?

Here, let me explain the circularity.

Why do we have punishments? To ensure social justice, to deter criminals, to ensure safety of everyone.
Is death penalty a good punishment?
Does it ensure social justice? What's social justice?
Does it deter criminals? How on earth can I figure this out?
Does it ensure anyone's safety? Does anything ensure anyone's safety?

How am I supposed to know what I'm supposed to be convinced about?

@akshay asking these questions are a good start. Now try to find answers to these questions and ask more questions when you are not clear. It may take time to get answer to some questions, but don't give up asking and finding answers.

What are your own answers to these questions?

@praveenarimbrathod "One getting convinced yourself and convincing others. You don’t have to accept only things that you can convince others. Then we can never change anything. Also it is ignoring your own capacity to think and decide yourself." - I dint really understand what you were trying to say..

Update: okay, I think I get what you were trying to say there.. Well.. Honestly, I don't know how I feel about the death penalty.. I'm just confused.. I guess it's cuz I've never really had such al conversation with anyone about this before.. Nor have I read much about it..