Institutionalized Death

One of my favorite books in the entire world is "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote. If you have not read this book, I highly recommend it. Capote's book deals with two criminals whose crimes escalate one night as a robbery turns into a murder of four. There is no question about the guilt of these two individuals in the murders, but the dilemma presented by the story is the moral complication of capital punishment. In 2019, we are much more knowledgeable of mental illness than they were in 1959, and we understand that some people can not be held responsible for their actions and need help. We run into a problem when a serial killer is determined mentally sane and is convicted of his crimes. Do we execute the killer and rid society of a particular evil? Or do we have families of victims deal with the fact every day that part of their taxes is supporting an individual that hurt their families so bad? Life is sacred and should never be taken for granted. Psychologists have long debated the incessant nature on human beings. Are we all born good in our nature? Are some people born with certain innate qualities of destruction? Is our concept of right and wrong based solely off of circumstances at a young age? The scientific community generally believes that nature and nurture both shape our moral compass. This begs the question can we morally execute someone when a combination of uncontrolled variables determined what they did. I believe that anyone with enough encouragement, teaching, and loving can change(the exception being mental illness which relies on health factors more so than love). If people can change, we can not with ease of mind put someone to death. Returning to civilization should not be an option, but removing freedom is different than removing life. Some people would argue life without freedom is not worth living, and I am glad our ancestors did not believe that because every religion or race has been enslaved at one point or another in history. I am glad they saw a reason in living without freedom, and that they never lost hope. I have never been and pray to never be affected personally by a murder, so I would not dare to say this without telling you to listen to the victims' families. The people are the most important thing as in everything. Life is sacred and I believe we should protect it. Just a thought.