I am almost completely done with my philosophical reading's of Dogen's Shobogenzo's first chapter so I'll be posting those soon, but for now I'd like to hear some of your opinions (whether "Buddhist" or not doesn't matter) regarding the debate of "which bears richer fruit," mercy, or strict justice.
So that's it! My question: which bears better fruit? Mercy or justice?
Should child rapists ever be shown any mercy?
(is putting a child rapist away forever a merciful act instead of killing?)
Should a woman who was beaten by her husband then killed him in desperation deserve mercy under the law?
Is the law capable of mercy?
Is feeding the starving, helping the helpless etc acts of justice or mercy?
I'd love to hear your opinions on this topic! This is a very touchy topic for very very many people so do respond and be polite to each other!
I am personally on the side of mercy to a naively extreme point. I believe that most people given the chance will respond to mercy (certainly not all). I believe this because there are reasons people commit heinous crimes and the premise is that it generally takes place in acts of desperation and not willful acts of evil. The questions remains for me to answer, and my friends, I need your help because I don't know, do willful acts of evil--for example the Hitler's of the world, do they deserve mercy?
Comment, share, let me know, let your friends know, get this topic moving!
