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Yes, if your only goal is to punish then making sure that people are eternally guilt ridden would make sense. If your goal is to reduce human suffering then no that doesn't make sense.

In the case of this soldier he is most definitely deserving of help and respect.

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I am not asking if it should be done in any particular case, but in every case.

I can concoct particular examples but it gets dramatic quickly. I am sure you can come up with some extreme examples.

Are you saying you are okay with the person forgiving themselves in every example you can think of?

Does it matter if the person can forgive themselves "easily" i.e. immediately after the act, and for all time with no consequences?

On principle our justice system is based on preventing harm of law abiding citizens, and not to harm the guilty. Allowing the guilty to forgive themselves might be a luxury, but it wouldn't violate justice even though it feels merciful.

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