Is violent revenge acceptable?

[Ahleckz]

Calculated physical revenge, not "he hit me, so I'll hit him back", is it ever acceptable/justified in life?

I'm not entirely sure that I know where I believe myself. I think there's something quite disturbing about plotting physical harm (with a real view of carrying it out) against someone who has wronged you in some way. Perhaps I put too much faith in the justice system (though I would like to see a tougher penal regime) but I think as a civilised human society we shouldn't resort to revenge attacks.

I can see the emotional justification for revenge, it will often make you feel better to 'get back' at someone. However, this will often be shortlived and ultimately will only make things worse for yourself/the situation/the community and will likely turn the revenger into quite the bitter and resentful person.

There's obviously a lot of dimensions to this discussion, namely the question of violence ever been acceptable in the first place (I would say not), but I think revenge is something more than just violence (hence the difference between culpable homicide and murder).

Very poorly worded question, granted. But hopefully there is some discussion here!

 

[Robbo]

It really depends.

If someone raped/killed a member of my family, I'd hunt them down and gut them like a fish (or try to, anyway ).

If someone stole something from me, I probably wouldn't bother with the above.

 

[Tummy]

My opinion;

"An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind"

I don't believe that one horrible crime should deserve one in return.

Lock them up, take away their human rights and treat them as animals, but don't kill them, makes you no better then them.

Saying that, if someone hurt my family, I'd **** their **** up

 

[cainer]

boil their bunnys, its the only way

 

[Skillmister]

Acceptable? Depends on the circumstances
Pointless? Always

 

[DBT85]

Ohhh I know where this thread is going.

 

[Brian8bit]

No. Not because it's morally wrong (lol morals). You just end up shafting yourself. You inflict damage on someone else in revenge and you end up paying a fine for assault, or doing a stretch for manslaughter.

 

[Ahleckz]

It really depends.

If someone raped/killed a member of my family, I'd hunt them down and gut them like a fish (or try to, anyway ).

If someone stole something from me, I probably wouldn't bother with the above.

But is the former acceptable, in whatever form you want? Be that morally, religiously, societally, legally (should it be legally acceptable?)...

I'm sure I'd go all Liam Neeson on anyone who killed my little brother, though, because I'm on the internet.

 

[Robbo]

But is the former acceptable, in whatever form you want? Be that morally, religiously, societally, legally (should it be legally acceptable?)...

No, it isn't really acceptable, justifiable perhaps.

 

[Tummy]

But is the former acceptable, in whatever form you want? Be that morally, religiously, societally, legally (should it be legally acceptable?)...

In all seriousness, it's not acceptable and it's barbaric.

It's almost understandable, but it doesn't make it right in any way.

 

[Castiel]

My opinion;

"An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind"

I don't believe that one horrible crime should deserve one in return.

Lock them up, take away their human rights and treat them as animals, but don't kill them, makes you no better then them.

Saying that,if someone hurt my family, I'd **** their **** up

Revenge is about personal retribution. It has nothing to do with justice.

Iif someone intentionally and with malice aforethought hurt my family, I'd kill them.
Would I feel remorse? No.
Would it be the right thing to do? No.
Would I be no better than them? Probably not.
Would I care? No.

Take away those I care about the most and I would hunt them down no matter how long or how far or how difficult it was, they would pay a price I set, not one that society deems acceptable. If that makes me a monster or a psychopath then so be it.

 

[Tummy]

Revenge is about personal retribution. It has nothing to do with justice.

If someone hurt my family, I'd kill them.
Would I feel remorse? No.
Would it be the right thing to do? No.
Would I be no better than them? Probably not.
Would I care? No.

Take away those I care about the most and I would hunt them down no matter how long or how far or how difficult it was, they would pay a price I set, not one that society deems acceptable. If that makes me a monster or a psychopath then so be it.

Platinum?

 

[Robbo]

I was waiting for Castiel to turn up. I pretty much entirely agree with his view on this, however he would do a far better job of it than me.

 

[AndyT]

Premeditated violence/murder is often punished more harshly than crimes of "passion". Any evidence of planning such an act will usually get you bummed by the law. It is generally viewed as less acceptable if youve been planning it as you've had the time to think about the consequences.

 

[placeholder]

My opinion;

"An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind"

I don't believe that one horrible crime should deserve one in return.

Lock them up, take away their human rights and treat them as animals, but don't kill them, makes you no better then them.

Saying that, if someone hurt my family, I'd **** their **** up

Pretty much this.

Violence as a result of violence is revenge not justice.

Easy to say sitting behind a computer though!

Had the odd scrape in my time and hopefully learned from it but if someone hurts your family and friends rational thinking tends to go out the window!

 

[Tute]

I'm afraid I have no problem with sorting out revenge myself, especially if the police don't do anything about it.

If we had proper punishments for what some consider "petty" crime then I wouldn't have to bother. But sadly we don't.

Flame away.

 

[Muzza1875]

My opinion;

"An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind"

I don't believe that one horrible crime should deserve one in return.

Lock them up, take away their human rights and treat them as animals, but don't kill them, makes you no better then them.

Saying that, if someone hurt my family, I'd **** their **** up

My views exactly, Shame my friends/family dont share the same view.

 

[BunnyKillBot]

Never.

If we ever hold the opposing perspective as true, than barbaric acts of cruelty become just, righteous, and necessary. If violent revenge is acceptable, then the Jihadist that flew planes into the twin towers were also justifiable. The spiral is a grotesque parody and a one way ticket to hell.

 

[Tummy]

Revenge is about personal retribution. It has nothing to do with justice.

Take away those I care about the most and I would hunt them down no matter how long or how far or how difficult it was, they would pay a price I set, not one that society deems acceptable. If that makes me a monster or a psychopath then so be it.

Serious reply, I understand why you'd feel like that, I bet many people would. It doesn't mean I agree with it.

Pretty much this.

Violence as a result of violence is revenge not justice.

Easy to say sitting behind a computer though!

Had the odd scrape in my time and hopefully learned from it but if someone hurts your family and friends rational thinking tends to go out the window!

I've had plenty of arguments and scrapes in my time, but it's pointless, it's petty. To extrapolate that to a bigger picture, it's still morally wrong.

Don't get me wrong, It's perfectly understandable how you'd feel, I also imagine you wouldn't be of sound piece of mind given something horrific happening in your life, but I don't think it can be justified at any point, intentionally setting out to hurt someone.

Saying all this, Many horrible things happen each day and many horrible things happen each day in return, I find it just sad and upsetting watching some of the South American gangs / African gangs who have blood feuds.

Again, My stance on things like this tend to be hypocritical and different to most.

 

[Castiel]

I was waiting for Castiel to turn up. I pretty much entirely agree with his view on this, however he would do a far better job of it than me.

You would be surprised just how determined anyone can be when faced with that kind of pain and loss. It may take you a little longer to aqcuire the skills, but if you were determined and single minded enough you would do it.

Sometimes messy is better anyway.