These are difficult questions. One can have a low IQ and still have a moral compass. Even very young children know the difference between right and wrong, good and evil. I don't think IQ is relevant. There are brilliant psychopaths.
You are so right. I wish I would have thought of that angle when writing my piece! Sadly the Supreme Court has decided to look at the issue through the eyes of an IQ test. Not my favorite way things should be decided!
The Commandment says “Thou shall not commit murder.” It does not contain exemptions for low IQ people. It does not include a requirement to provide long-term care for low IQ people. That said, I understand the “modern” “compassionate” feelings of some to create a different system of “justice” for low IQ people, but I do not agree with it.
If your choices are:
A) execution,
B) life imprisonment in the nut house with thousands of other criminals who are also retarded (yes that is the word for it),
C) demand their families to care for that person and keep them from killing more people,
or D) release them into society and hope for the best.
Primitive cultures here on Earth (yes they exist today in Africa, the Middle East, Indonesia, and the Amazon) are more pragmatic. I lived in daily direct contact with one in East Africa. They can’t afford to incarcerate dangerous criminals (sane or not) so they don’t; they bury them.
Compassion is a choice ultimately ruled by available resources and alternative choices.
Do we objectively feel sorry for the retarded person. Sure.
Do we feel sorry for the family who had to admit they were unable to control their retarded son? I do.
Do we grieve with the family of the slain victim? We better.
Do we want to protect society from a repeat? We better.
Do we want to pay to put the murderer in a special prison and provide security, some wicked medicines, healthcare, food, clothing, lawyers, recreation, and “community” with other similarly afflicted people?
These are difficult questions. One can have a low IQ and still have a moral compass. Even very young children know the difference between right and wrong, good and evil. I don't think IQ is relevant. There are brilliant psychopaths.
Laura,
You are so right. I wish I would have thought of that angle when writing my piece! Sadly the Supreme Court has decided to look at the issue through the eyes of an IQ test. Not my favorite way things should be decided!
The Commandment says “Thou shall not commit murder.” It does not contain exemptions for low IQ people. It does not include a requirement to provide long-term care for low IQ people. That said, I understand the “modern” “compassionate” feelings of some to create a different system of “justice” for low IQ people, but I do not agree with it.
If your choices are:
A) execution,
B) life imprisonment in the nut house with thousands of other criminals who are also retarded (yes that is the word for it),
C) demand their families to care for that person and keep them from killing more people,
or D) release them into society and hope for the best.
Primitive cultures here on Earth (yes they exist today in Africa, the Middle East, Indonesia, and the Amazon) are more pragmatic. I lived in daily direct contact with one in East Africa. They can’t afford to incarcerate dangerous criminals (sane or not) so they don’t; they bury them.
Compassion is a choice ultimately ruled by available resources and alternative choices.
Do we objectively feel sorry for the retarded person. Sure.
Do we feel sorry for the family who had to admit they were unable to control their retarded son? I do.
Do we grieve with the family of the slain victim? We better.
Do we want to protect society from a repeat? We better.
Do we want to pay to put the murderer in a special prison and provide security, some wicked medicines, healthcare, food, clothing, lawyers, recreation, and “community” with other similarly afflicted people?
Are there other choices?