評論
打印
In Favor of Capital Punishment Jacques Barzun
為死刑辯護 雅克巴贊
A passing remark of mine in the Mid-Century magazine has brought me a number of letters and a sheaf of pamphlets against capital punishment.
《中世紀》雜志上刊載了我隨便講的一番話后，許多反對死刑的信件和小冊子向我飛來。
The letters, sad and reproachful, offer me the choice of pleading ignorance or being proved insensitive.
這些信件，有的是對我的觀點表示遺憾，有的是對我的觀點給予斥責。他們要我承認自己不是愚昧無知就是麻木不仁，
I am asked whether I know that there exists a worldwide movement for the abolition of capital punishment which has everywhere enlisted able men of every profession, including the law.
責問我是否知道面臨著一場世界性的廢除死刑的運動，而且這場運動已經得到了包括法學家在內的各界有識之士的廣泛支持;
I am told that the death penalty is not only inhuman but also unscientific, for rapists and murderers are really sick people who should be cured, not killed.
他們說將人處死既無人道又違背科學。因為無論是強奸犯還是殺人犯，其實都是病人，對他們應當給予醫治而不應該處死。
I am invited to use my imagination and acknowledge the unbearable horror of every form of execution.
他們要我認真地思考并認識到將人處死的任何形式所引起的恐懼都是不堪容忍的。
I am indeed aware that the movement for abolition is widespread and articulate, especially in England.
的確，這場廢除死刑的運動已遍及世界，而且已宣傳得深入人心，尤其在英國更是如此。
It is headed there by my old friend and publisher, Mr. Victor Gollancz, and it numbers such well-known writers as Arthur Koestler, C.H.Rolph, James Avery Joyce and Sir John Barry.
這場運動的領導者就是我的老友兼出版商維克托·高蘭茲先生，還有阿瑟·凱斯特勒、CH羅爾夫、詹姆斯·艾弗里·喬伊斯、約翰·巴里爵士等一批享有盛名的作家。
Abroad as at home the profession of psychiatry tends to support the cure principle, and many liberal newspapers, such as the Observer, are committed to abolition.
國內外精神病學界的人士都傾向于采取治病救人的方針，而且許多自由派報紙，譬如《觀察家報》就極力地主張徹底廢除死刑。
