"Give me liberty, or give me death!"

[_DoubtingThomas]

"Give me liberty, or give me death!" - attributed to Patrick Henry

Mollie Tibbetts was the victim of one of the most horrific crimes. The guy that killed her shouldn't get the death penalty. The 24 year old deserves to rot in prison for the rest of his life. Death should be seen as a tragedy, not as a punishment. For many death isn't the worst thing that can happen to you. To me the death penalty makes no sense as a punishment, I see it as an act of mercy.

[_Dr. Shades]

That's what they all say. . . until they're actually faced with death.

[_Some Schmo]

If you eat caviar that's "to die for," does that mean you're living on death roe?

[_Dr. Shades]

Hahahahaha!!!

[_DoubtingThomas]

That's what they all say. . . until they're actually faced with death.

We humans evolved to be afraid of death. Our survival depends on it.

[_Some Schmo]

We humans evolved to be afraid of death. Our survival depends on it.

Did we? I sort of see it as a byproduct of being aware we will die.

Thing is, most animals seem to fear death. It's not like a fly hangs tight when you try to smack it, or an antelope says to the lion, "Eat me!" They boogie out of there.

ETA: I guess I'm only taking issue with the implied idea that humans, exclusively, evolved to fear death.

[_Dr. Shades]

We humans evolved to be afraid of death. Our survival depends on it.

So, by forcing the condemned to undergo their fear, it's actually a greater punishment than life in prison. . . contra your opening post.

[_DoubtingThomas]

Did we? I sort of see it as a byproduct of being aware we will die.

Thing is, most animals seem to fear death. It's not like a fly hangs tight when you try to smack it, or an antelope says to the lion, "Eat me!" They boogie out of there.

ETA: I guess I'm only taking issue with the implied idea that humans, exclusively, evolved to fear death.

Sure! Many animals evolved to be afraid. Being afraid is good for survival. According to Dr. Jessica Pierce

"Concerning the questions: "Do animals really know they're gonna die?" and "Do animals have the same concept of death that we do?" I don't know, and I'm not sure anyone else does either. This does not mean they don't, but I don't know of any research that conclusively shows they do" https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog ... -gonna-die

[_DoubtingThomas]

We humans evolved to be afraid of death. Our survival depends on it.

So, by forcing the condemned to undergo their fear, it's actually a greater punishment than life in prison. . . contra your opening post.

Why? Many children are afraid to go to the dentist, but their parents still force them to go.

[_Some Schmo]

Sure! Many animals evolved to be afraid. Being afraid is good for survival.

Here's the thing... fearing death is baked into evolution. You will only survive long enough to reproduce if you care about survival. Every single direct ancestor you have cared to survive long enough to have kids. Some measure of caution against death is a requirement.

Every species of life we see today takes measures against death, otherwise, they'd have died off.