Assisted Suicide vs. the Death Penalty
I think the grim nature of the death penalty is overstated
The discourse surrounding death and its administration in the hands of humans encapsulates a profound dichotomy between assisted suicide, with its burgeoning industry, and the death penalty. This essay aims to juxtapose these two phenomena, not only in terms of their procedural and ethical frameworks but also in how they are perceived and portrayed in society. The contrast is stark: on one hand, assisted suicide is increasingly viewed through a lens of compassion and dignity, with evolving methods that are touted as peaceful; on the other hand, the death penalty is often depicted as a grim and violent end, marked by suffering and indignity. This apparent contradiction underscores deep societal ambivalence about the nature of death and the right to determine it. I think that opponents of the death penalty often overstate the pain and suffering experienced by the condemned because they want to paint the penalty as cruel and unusual. In contrast, I think the same methods, when used for assisted suicide, are described as peaceful and dignified. This contradiction creates opposition to the death penalty, but with the advent of newer methods of execution, I think the contrast is no longer relevant.
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