Whoa, slow down there Socrates. I wasnt even posting any argument to begin with. I just find your deep philosophical threads historical xD

I think most people 'feel' sorry for criminals. But even if they didn't, having a mere feeling won't change anything so I don't see your point in it.

What actions do you suggest we take? Don't punish criminals?

The question about what action to take is a very complex issue. In a perfect universe, I would suggest that we try to rehabilitate them using any method but punishment until it's the only way out.

Being in prison may serve several purposes: 1) They won't be able to hurt anyone outside of prison 2) while in prison they may receive treatment and 3) it may be considered a punishment, depending on who you are asking. While those three combined may only stop 40% from going back to jail ever again (according to Swedish numbers), it is still the most effective form of treatment that we have. So, in a sense I do support this kind of punishment + treatment strategy, but only because there is no more effective way for that price.

That is not the main point of this thread though. The main point is that we shouldn't hate our criminals and that punishing unfortunate people theoretically makes no sense. The electric chair would be most severe example of unjustified punishments.

You misspelled historical.

Hitler obviously did what he though was right for his people. But in the process he also made millions of others suffering massively which is why it should be considered 'bad' actions.

People hate Hitler because he did horrible things. I hate what he did and the circumstances which made him do it.

Hate the crime, not the criminal.

The key to realize is that most crime is treatable (outside the real psychos, at any rate), and is inspired either by structural problems in the person's life or simpler psychological problems (something more addressable than psychosis, for instance). This is not to say that criminals are helpless to make the choices they make, but it is unfair to compare them to every law-abiding citizen all at once.

Fostering a good culture will do more to prevent crime than loose gun laws and vigorous police, but vigorous (but fair) police are likely to be needed in any event.

I think we should still blame criminals for their actions, but not take it so far as to give them death threats like Americans love to do so much.

Oh shit, i'll fix that right away. I wouldn't want to be remembered by future generations as a guy who misspelled a word in this historic thread

More PC nonsense?