Executions in fantasy settings

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OneSmallFlower

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Another day, another question!

So recently I’ve come across a moral problem both in my writing and in playing Dungeons and Dragons (yes, laugh if you want) on the matter of necessary execution.

Here’s the situation: you’ve taken down a Big Bad, incapacitated him but not killed him. He is now lying helpless at your feet, begging for mercy and promising never to hurt another living soul. The trouble is, you don’t know if you can believe him.

At this point, one of three problematic scenarios can arise:

1.) You know for certain that you’re able to get the Big Bad back to the proper authorities without him escaping. Only trouble is, the authorities will not just execute him, but torture him to death. Remember, if you let him go free, he may or may not go out and kill more people.

2.) You DON’T know for certain whether you can get him back to the proper authorities without him escaping. Again, if he does escape, he may or may not go out and kill more people. However, you are reasonably certain that the proper authorities will either detain or justly and painlessly execute him.

3.) You know for certain that you CANNOT get him back to the proper authorities without him escaping in the process, or there are no proper authorities to speak of. Again, if he does escape, he may or may not go out and kill more people.

Remember, the Big Bad is begging for mercy and promising to turn over a new leaf. His sincerity is doubtful at best. In each scenario listed above, what should a good Catholic do: kill him, release him or detain/transport him? Or a sort of twisted fourth option: some form of physical harm to make him less of a threat to others?

Oh, and remember: if he dies unrepentant, he goes to hell.

Yes, it’s a bit of a dark question, but I think this is one that needs to be answered. Thoughts?
–1SF
 
You mean what should a Catholic to who is playing the game, or what should a Catholic do if they were actually in that situation in reality?
 
Well, the ideal solution, is that the prisoner be delivered to the just authorities. In (2), I think the civilians have a duty to bring the BB to the authorities for justice. In (1)… That is more complicated…

I suppose before this can be answered, and certainly before (3) can be answered, is what authority civilians have to administer justice, either in the absence of the appropriate authorities or when the authorities are unjust (though judging whether the authorities are unjust is a whole different question). I’m not convinced that the execution in such a case–that is, in a medieval society which doesn’t have the same pervasiveness of law and order, with prudential judgment–is in all cases a mortal sin. I mean, what if it was a situation where there literally is no government? Can no justice be administered?

But that doesn’t sound entirely right to my ears, either.

Please feel free to correct me. I’m just musing.
 
OneSmallFlower said:
Another day, another question!

So recently I’ve come across a moral problem both in my writing and in playing Dungeons and Dragons (yes, laugh if you want) on the matter of necessary execution.

Here’s the situation: you’ve taken down a Big Bad, incapacitated him but not killed him. He is now lying helpless at your feet, begging for mercy and promising never to hurt another living soul. The trouble is, you don’t know if you can believe him.

At this point, one of three problematic scenarios can arise:

1.) You know for certain that you’re able to get the Big Bad back to the proper authorities without him escaping. Only trouble is, the authorities will not just execute him, but torture him to death. Remember, if you let him go free, he may or may not go out and kill more people.

2.) You DON’T know for certain whether you can get him back to the proper authorities without him escaping. Again, if he does escape, he may or may not go out and kill more people. However, you are reasonably certain that the proper authorities will either detain or justly and painlessly execute him.

3.) You know for certain that you CANNOT get him back to the proper authorities without him escaping in the process, or there are no proper authorities to speak of. Again, if he does escape, he may or may not go out and kill more people.

Remember, the Big Bad is begging for mercy and promising to turn over a new leaf. His sincerity is doubtful at best. In each scenario listed above, what should a good Catholic do: kill him, release him or detain/transport him? Or a sort of twisted fourth option: some form of physical harm to make him less of a threat to others?

Oh, and remember: if he dies unrepentant, he goes to hell.

Yes, it’s a bit of a dark question, but I think this is one that needs to be answered. Thoughts?
–1SF
Click to expand...
Can I suggest you pull up the blind, open the window and let some fresh air in.
Then go and do something more useful outside that involves real people and real moral issues ;).
 
Blue_Horizon said:
Can I suggest you pull up the blind, open the window and let some fresh air in.
Then go and do something more useful outside that involves real people and real moral issues ;).
Click to expand...
Dungeons and Dragons does involve real people (the rest of your group and the DM).

As for my answers.

1: Going back to the DnD take, kill the big baddie. Those XP will help you save lives and unlock skills. Allow each member of your party to take a stab to share it.

2: The real life scenario, it would be a prudential judgment. I don’t think there’d be an obligation to release them as you do have legitimate uncertainty over whether or not they’ll kill again. Incarcerate them if possible, execute them if necessary. Turn them over to the authorities for execution if that is just and needed.
 
Yes, well…

I think I’ll keep doing what I enjoy, instead of being a stick-in-the-mud because some guy on the internet told me to. 🙂

Dungeons and Dragons is fun, and it gives me good moral and philosophical training– kind of like philosophy homework, but more enjoyable. Plus, I get to smite demon trees with lightning bolts from on high (I play a cleric of Pelor), so… yeah, that’s pretty cool.

To any other Catholics out there who enjoy playing RPGs, don’t let the above poster ruin your fun. There’s nothing inherently sinful in D&D, and so long as you play it in moderation and aren’t doing immoral things as a character, it’s a good way to socialize and have fun. After all, as Aristotle said, there’s a time for play and leisure. “Wasting time” is not always a waste of time. 😉

God bless!
–1SF
 
I think in this sort of case, because there’s no just government to oversee the carrying out of justice, the obligation of the player/protagonist would depend on the situation:

1.) Criminal committed minor crime (theft or something): let him go, or help him make restitution.

2.) Criminal committed major crime (e.g. murder) but promises not to do it again: you sort of have to judge the circumstances here. If it was a long time ago and you think he can be believed, then you let him go and if possible help him make restitution.

If he did this recently and you think he can be believed, you should help him find some other way of making restitution (giving money to the family of the person he murdered, for example), and insist on him accompanying you for a time (so you can oversee his behavior).

If he did this recently and you* know he can’t be believed (and will go hurt someone else), then I’m 90% certain you have the obligation to ensure he won’t be a threat to others– whether that means breaking his kneecaps or striking a killing blow depends on the situation.

Like the other posters, I’m just spitballing here.

*TBH I don’t watch Firefly (for various moral and aesthetic reasons), but I’ve had this quoted at me enough in-game that I’m pretty sure it applies here. 😉
 
Yeah, I’ve come across that in-game too. Mob bosses are always a real thorn in my side, but you can’t do anything about them because getting rid of one brings seven more into power.

Rule #1 of playing a Lawful Good character: you are not powerful enough to get rid of every evil. Save who you can where you are and keep yourself focused on your mission.

(And this is why I play RPGs. The moral questions are fascinating.)
 
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