4 ms·

So do you think that if from today all the crimes were depenalised there would be no whatsoever increase in thefts, assaults, murders and all the other crimes?

• jstanley 8y ago
  I don't think there would be a very big increase. Most people just don't want to steal, assault, murder, etc. because of their own morality, not because of the law.
  • lazyasciiart 8y ago
    That only means there wouldn't be a massive increase in the number of perpetrators. I expect that the set of people who aren't morally against it would be willing to do it more often if the risks went down.
    • jstanley 8y ago
      > > > I think that instead we would see a massive increase. > > I don't think there would be a very big increase. > That only means there wouldn't be a massive increase [...] Agreed.
  • adwn 8y ago
    > Most people just don't want to steal, assault, murder, etc. because of their own morality, not because of the law. I strongly disagree. Many (but not all!) people would be more likely to steal – given an opportunity – if they were absolutely sure they wouldn't face any negative consequences. Similarly, a lot more people would punch someone in the face if they insulted them or cut in line, when they would be absolutely sure that the other person wouldn't punch back. That doesn't mean that most people are inherently evil, just that they're non-perfect, flawed human beings. Social pressure and the justice system keeps them in line, not their morality.