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Question:

What would be the Thomistic view on capital punishment?

Answer

According to Aquinas:

Therefore if a man be dangerous and infectious to the community, on account of some sin, it is praiseworthy and advantageous that he be killed in order to safeguard the common good . . . . ST IIa-IIae, q. 64, a. 2.

It is permissible to kill a criminal if this is necessary for the welfare of the whole community. However, this right belongs only to the one entrusted with the care of the whole community -- just as a doctor may cut off an infected limb, since he has been entrusted with the care of the health of the whole body. ST IIa-IIae, q. 64, a. 3.

Thus, the state which is entrusted with caring for the welfare of a society (not private citizens) may put a criminal to death when it is necessary to protect the rest of society. The question for Thomists, and for all citizens in a democracy, is when, if ever, this is necessary. It is hard to answer on Thomistic grounds. Aquinas does believe that it may be necessary to kill heretics since they threaten the faith of believers, but he is not very definitive, even on what is for him the worst case scenario. (See the essay, Tollerance.) I, personally, do not think it is ever NECESSARY to take someone from prison and kill them, but I realize it may be a tricky question.

I hope this helps. Let me know if I can be of more assistance.

Sincerely,

Joseph Magee

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