If we understood the criminal mind, would we be more sympathetic toward criminals?

Question

What makes a person into a criminal? Why should they be punished? I think that genetics and experience play a part in it. Are they the only parts? If they are the only parts, should a person be punished? Do you think that any one of us could start making bad decisions and turn evil without any outside interference, and that we should be punished for it?

Why should evil people be punished? What if they could be helped to become good again? What is the difference between justice and vengeance? Do you think that vengeance should be suppressed in order to obtain a greater good?

Answer 1

Every criminal is given the choice of right and wrong. They obviously choose the wrong path because they kill, rape, cheat, steal, etc. They should be punished, and massively so as to prevent others from making the same mistake.

The only people who could possibly be excused are the absolutely paranoid people or the severely mentally retarded. However, most can decipher what's right and wrong. Those select few should be institutionalized in a mental ward and medicated to prevent them from doing any more harm to others or to themselves.

The death penalty should be enforced in all 50 states.

Answer 2

you're on the wrong board but i don't care why a criminal does what they do. i just want them somewhere (or dead) so they can't do what they do .

Answer 3

I think that the more you understand evil the less tolerance you have for them.  See if you local police department will let you do a ride along in a bad neighborhood and I bet that you would change your mind real quick.  You sound like the typical liberal that thinks their studies in sociology are the way the real world works.  Try getting your hands dirty out in reality and you will change your mind real fast.