As a general rule, we like the concept of mercy. It is a simple and basic moral: "Why would you ever be merciless? That's horrible!"
This is because the concept of mercy, even the nature of mercy, is pleasant. We like to think that we would employ it at all times, towards all people, if for no other reason than we would like it to be shown to us if and when we feel we deserve it. "Do unto others as you would have done unto you", after all.
The problem people run into is when general rules meet specific situations. Someone runs over your pet, laughs in your face, and speeds away, flipping you off as they go. Crossing the intersection, they are t-boned by a large truck at speed.
Do you pause for even a moment in calling the paramedics? If not, you're truly selfless and should be lauded for it. If there's so much as a split-second of doubt, it's because you are tussling with the view that this person who killed your pet does not deserve your mercy. You might even walk away thinking "let someone else call, I'm sure dozens of people saw what happened". But would you do so if they hadn't behaved as they had just moments earlier?
It is important to understand that mercy is not about how we feel we should be treated, but how we treat others as fellow sentient beings. It is at the core of our emotional being to have compassion, and without compassion there can be no mercy.
Now, having said what I've said so far, you might think that I am in favor of saving someone's life no matter the circumstances or that killing someone is never acceptable. Quite the contrary - I consider that justice and mercy are equal balancing factors in making moral judgments. Letting someone die in a car accident because they killed your pet and insulted you is excessive punishment. Save their life, then report their crimes (animal abuse, blowing through a stop sign) to the police, and let justice have its day.
Because there is a balance in play here, there are situations where little or no mercy can or should be involved in the decision - it's all about justice. At other times, mercy must be the dominant consideration. And it is also a valid position to make one's personal focus about one or the other - but to be properly moral, the other side of the scale must still be considered as a mitigating factor.
All mercy with no justice makes one a doormat.
All justice with no mercy makes one a tyrant.
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2 years, 2 months ago
10 Feb 2022 08:47 CET
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