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In Favor of Capital Punishment Jacques Barzun
为死刑辩护 雅克巴赞
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.
《中世纪》杂志上刊载了我随便讲的一番话后，许多反对死刑的信件和小册子向我飞来。
The letters, sad and reproachful, offer me the choice of pleading ignorance or being proved insensitive.
这些信件，有的是对我的观点表示遗憾，有的是对我的观点给予斥责。他们要我承认自己不是愚昧无知就是麻木不仁，
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.
责问我是否知道面临着一场世界性的废除死刑的运动，而且这场运动已经得到了包括法学家在内的各界有识之士的广泛支持;
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.
他们说将人处死既无人道又违背科学。因为无论是强奸犯还是杀人犯，其实都是病人，对他们应当给予医治而不应该处死。
I am invited to use my imagination and acknowledge the unbearable horror of every form of execution.
他们要我认真地思考并认识到将人处死的任何形式所引起的恐惧都是不堪容忍的。
I am indeed aware that the movement for abolition is widespread and articulate, especially in England.
的确，这场废除死刑的运动已遍及世界，而且已宣传得深入人心，尤其在英国更是如此。
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.
这场运动的领导者就是我的老友兼出版商维克托·高兰兹先生，还有阿瑟·凯斯特勒、CH罗尔夫、詹姆斯·艾弗里·乔伊斯、约翰·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.
国内外精神病学界的人士都倾向于采取治病救人的方针，而且许多自由派报纸，譬如《观察家报》就极力地主张彻底废除死刑。
