Could You be an Executioner?

[kasooi]

I would totally do it.

Anything bad that would happen would not be the result of me and would essentially be the fault of the process the person was put through before death.

I think I'd have no problem killing people and living with a clean conscious.

[wevans]

Jul 27, 2010 15:59:53 GMT -8 kasooi said:

I would totally do it.

Anything bad that would happen would not be the result of me and would essentially be the fault of the process the person was put through before death.

I think I'd have no problem killing people and living with a clean conscious.

If Milgram's experiments are anything to go by this answer could be extrapolated across the entire population.

I wouldn't do it because I'd start to use this for comfort and then it would be easy.

[Thesealion]

Jul 27, 2010 2:46:14 GMT -8 ♫Sossity♪ said:

No. The emotional toll must be immense. Also, i'd be constantly worrying about the possibility of executing a wrongly convicted person.

This is why i wouldn't do it. I would have no problem killing a person who did something that wrong but i would never be able to settle it in my mind that they actually did it unless i saw what they did

[The Count]

I could do it. I wouldn't apply to be an executioner, but I could do it...

[The Lizard King]

i dont think i would have a problem with it if there was proof that the suspect actually committed the crime. shooting on a firing squad....maybe not. but flippin a switch or pushin few buttons, i could yes.

[James [a_leon]]

Without second though or remorse. If it's my job, I'm getting paid to perform a task and that's exactly what I'm going to do.

That and, it's pretty easy for me to not connect emotionally with people, so that makes such a task easier. I'm not say I'd enjoy it, but I would do it. Sure, part of me would wonder if the person was really guilty or if it's a tragic case of an innocent person being pushed through... but it's not my choice to make, so I'd just force myself to not think about it.

[Less.Than.Three.]

Jul 27, 2010 20:48:49 GMT -8 James [a_leon] said:

Without second though or remorse. If it's my job, I'm getting paid to perform a task and that's exactly what I'm going to do.

With respect, that's the kind of attitude that allows atrocities to happen. People can rationalize horrible things, can try to justify anything with "I was just doing my job."

It doesn't matter who's calling the shots; if you're a willing part of it in any way, you're responsible for your actions.

[Derek シ]

I do believe I could do it. I can't say I would rush into the warden's office with application in hand and a giant grin on my face, but if I worked as a corrections officer in a prison with execution facilities, I'd have no problem throwing my name into the execution rotation. Whether or not I'm the one who pulls the metaphorical trigger, the person will still die at an arranged time on an arranged date.

If I believed in am afterlife, my answer would surely be different. Despite the fact that this person will die no matter what, I don't think a deity would look kindly on my ending of someone's life under that reasoning. The irony of this is that my reasoning would still be selfish, and I wouldn't actually be attempting to save this person's life, making me no better than anyone who actually does flip the switch.

[Joshua Farrell]

Jul 27, 2010 20:54:50 GMT -8 Less.Than.Three. said:

Jul 27, 2010 20:48:49 GMT -8 James [a_leon] said:

Without second though or remorse. If it's my job, I'm getting paid to perform a task and that's exactly what I'm going to do.

With respect, that's the kind of attitude that allows atrocities to happen. People can rationalize horrible things, can try to justify anything with "I was just doing my job."

It doesn't matter who's calling the shots; if you're a willing part of it in any way, you're responsible for your actions.

In which this reminds me. If you are responsible for murdering someone, by law, you have taken a life away from someone without them saying you can, and that means, you have to pay back equal to what you had taken, and in this case, with your life.

For example, if someone stole something, and was found out, they would either have to pay for the item, or have a hefty fine and still pay for the item and/or go to jail.

[wevans]

Jul 27, 2010 20:54:50 GMT -8 Less.Than.Three. said:

Jul 27, 2010 20:48:49 GMT -8 James [a_leon] said:

Without second though or remorse. If it's my job, I'm getting paid to perform a task and that's exactly what I'm going to do.

With respect, that's the kind of attitude that allows atrocities to happen. People can rationalize horrible things, can try to justify anything with "I was just doing my job."

It doesn't matter who's calling the shots; if you're a willing part of it in any way, you're responsible for your actions.

Precisely, and it was this that Milgram was investigating.

[Less.Than.Three.]

Jul 27, 2010 22:04:16 GMT -8 wevans said:

Jul 27, 2010 20:54:50 GMT -8 Less.Than.Three. said:

With respect, that's the kind of attitude that allows atrocities to happen. People can rationalize horrible things, can try to justify anything with "I was just doing my job."

It doesn't matter who's calling the shots; if you're a willing part of it in any way, you're responsible for your actions.

Precisely, and it was this that Milgram was investigating.

That experiment came to mind, but I didn't know the name of it -- thanks for the link. It's a fascinating and disturbing study.

Decent people can do horrible things, if the situation allows.

[James [a_leon]]

Jul 27, 2010 20:54:50 GMT -8 Less.Than.Three. said:

With respect, that's the kind of attitude that allows atrocities to happen. People can rationalize horrible things, can try to justify anything with "I was just doing my job."

If it's my job, and for some reason I couldn't get anything else, I'd do whatever I had to do to provide. I'm not saying I would enjoy the job, nor that I think everyone deserves what they're getting. If having gone through the legal system so far as to have gotten the death penalty, the only piece of "comfort" is people have fought hard to prevent that verdict, and it came anyway. it wouldn't be my place to get involved. Not because I don't care about people, or that I have no empathy for the family, but because you have to stay distant to do a job like that. If I were to follow the case from when it starts, I have a better chance of becoming attached to the person which would make the emotional toll much greater and the task much harder. the person has to be just a statistic to live with yourself for doing a job like that. I would never want to meet the family, either.

[YANG]

I wouldn't apply for the job but if i were given the job then yeah i would do it. So long as the punishment fits their crime. I'm not going to execute someone for stealing, but i wouldn't have a problem killing a serial rapist/murderer. I just don't thing people like that should be left alive. Being in prison for life just doesn't seem like a punishment to me. Especially when you get food, roof over your head and everything else with other peoples money, including the victims. Just doesn't seem fair that the victim in a way is the one who is really being punished by having to fork her/his money over just so the state can look after the scum who murdered or raped his/her family or friend.

[Nick]

I'd try it once. But I'd probably be a bit more medieval. chop of thy head with a sword or hanging.

No I really don't think I could do it, I really wouldn't have the strength mentally to deal with separating it as just a job.