But this is not to say that the society which inflicts capital punishment commits murder. Murder is an offensive act. The term cannot be applied legitimately to any defensive act. And capital punishment, however ineffective it may be and through whatever ignorance it may be resorted to, is a strictly defensive act, - at least in theory.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Capital punishment is categorized as a defensive act rather than murder, regardless of its effectiveness or basis.
- In plain terms
- Execution is seen as defense, not an attack.
- What can you take from it?
- Defensive acts are distinct from offensive ones in this view.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is all defense justified?
- Does theory match reality?
Another view
Theoretical defense may not match practical outcomes.
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