[Ayn And Milton]

I thank you for your diligent reply.

Yes, the chance of getting caught is crucial in deterring potential criminals, I agree. And I concur with your viewpoint on negligence of the victims. Perhaps it is an heritage of the 60s’ utopianism: the fantasy that one can ‘cure’ criminals, and that all criminals are ill people in reality, who are less to blame than we think they are. In brief: ‘they’re victims too, you know?’

Which would, if followed though to the end, mean the end of civilisation. No arguing about that.

I did not know that in the U.K. a majority favours the death sentence for the very worst criminals. Perhaps this also goes for other countries, not for Holland (where I live). But it motivates me to do a bit of internet inquiry.

Again, thank you for your post.

[Vanders9]

Thank you for your considered reply.

The point about the fantasy of "curing" criminals is well taken. Like all the most pernicious lies, it is strengthened by an element of truth. A lot of people DO drift into crime, and as is the nature of these things, once you've gone down that route, it becomes increasingly harder to get back to the straight and narrow. Such people could be said to be "victims" and can be "cured", if they choose to accept that help. Unfortunately for the naive well-meaning sociologists, there is also real elemental evil in this world, and there are lots of really violent cynical criminals out there who either can't, or won't reform. And society has to be protected from such individuals.

[PapaBear3625]

Perhaps it is an heritage of the 60s’ utopianism: the fantasy that one can ‘cure’ criminals, and that all criminals are ill people in reality, who are less to blame than we think they are. In brief: ‘they’re victims too, you know?’

The problem with "cured" felons: how can you be sure he's cured, and is not just an intelligent sociopath who has figured out how to convincingly pretend that he's cured?