La pena de mort

In a brisk lecture delivered at a 1912 congress in Barcelona, the author unpacks the death penalty as more than a legal measure, portraying it as a lingering habit that predates modern civilization. By separating the abstract right from the concrete act, the essay invites listeners to see the punishment as a cultural relic—an echo of primitive guarantees that once bound individuals before the rise of collective institutions.

The analysis moves from the notion of “pseudo‑right” rooted in personal vengeance to the ritualistic dimensions that turn executions into public spectacles. Drawing on mythic images of Themis, Némesis and ancient sacrificial rites, the work highlights how societies treat the condemned as a sacrificial offering meant to restore a fractured sense of justice. Listeners will encounter a vivid comparison of historical ceremonies, from Roman circuses to contemporary public hangings, and be prompted to reflect on the uneasy blend of law, religion and collective fear that still underlies debates on capital punishment.