A sense of vengeance drives much of the criminal justice system, but revenge has no place in my moral framework. [...] I believe this is no more than leftover evolutionary thinking that is functional in a tribal society and doesn’t help the world we live in.
Consider game theory. A criminal chooses between two victims, who are equivalent from the perspective of the criminal. One of the victims, or their family, is known to be vengeful. Other victim, and their family, are known to religiously believe in forgiving all who have wronged them, no matter what. Which one will the criminal choose?
Consider game theory. A criminal chooses between two victims, who are equivalent from the perspective of the criminal. One of the victims, or their family, is known to be vengeful. Other victim, and their family, are known to religiously believe in forgiving all who have wronged them, no matter what. Which one will the criminal choose?