Self preservation is a fundamental instinct of every living being with sufficient capacity to attempt to preserve itself. Even suicide often must struggle against these instincts. Given that they are well developed from billions of years of evolution and that we are an incredibly complex organism with high awareness of our bodies and minds, we must contend with a simple truth: humane execution is not possible, and instead serves as a symbolic hand-washing for the act of killing a restrained individual against their will.

I don’t oppose the death penalty completely. I think in exceptional cases it can be warranted, namely crimes against humanity or when one presents a clear and present danger that cannot be mitigated with anything less than execution. And even within those constraints I think one should be extremely cautious and restrained. But I also must accept the reality that no amount of hand-washing can cleanse the blood from the executioner or judge’s soul, and none who wish to bear that burden should ever be permitted to.