Et propter vitam vivendi perdere

When it comes to criminal justice and mental illness, the line between punishment and treatment can be difficult to define. For decades, society has grappled with the question of whether murder and psychopathy should be treated as criminal behavior or as mental diseases. This is not only a legal matter, but an ethical one, with far-reaching implications for the individuals involved and society as a whole. Examining Justifications for Punishment Retribution, deterrence, and rehabilitation are common justifications for punishment. However, these reasons may not apply in the same way to mentally ill patients. Should punishment be proportionate to the harm done? Is the purpose of punishment to make society safer or to assist in reintegrating patients into society? These questions gain particular relevance when considering individuals who derive pleasure from the suffering of others. Balancing Predictive Technology and Consent Advances in neuroscience and technology have enabled greater acc...