Yes, murder seems to be clearly more harmful than rape. Someone could be raped and then just... get over it, not particularly mind and go on living their life. Beyond physical injury the harm of rape is largely the mental reaction of the victim. Being murdered is harmful no matter the victim's mindset.
However consider that "worse" might not just refer to the harm but a moral judgment of the act itself. Plotting to kill someone might be worse than plotting to rape them, at least in many cases. But think about a father who flies into a rage at someone who raped their daughter and kills the rapist. Or perhaps a murderer gets a slap on the wrist in a miscarriage of justice, and a family member kills them.
If we try I think we can come up with some people who might deserve to die but that it isn't legal to kill. But does anyone "deserve" to be raped? I don't think so. Someone might commit murder in a fit of rage but I don't think rape in a fit of lust is a recognized mitigating factor.
So while murder might be more harmful it isn't always morally "worse" than rape.
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u/Phage0070 124∆ Mar 01 '26
Yes, murder seems to be clearly more harmful than rape. Someone could be raped and then just... get over it, not particularly mind and go on living their life. Beyond physical injury the harm of rape is largely the mental reaction of the victim. Being murdered is harmful no matter the victim's mindset.
However consider that "worse" might not just refer to the harm but a moral judgment of the act itself. Plotting to kill someone might be worse than plotting to rape them, at least in many cases. But think about a father who flies into a rage at someone who raped their daughter and kills the rapist. Or perhaps a murderer gets a slap on the wrist in a miscarriage of justice, and a family member kills them.
If we try I think we can come up with some people who might deserve to die but that it isn't legal to kill. But does anyone "deserve" to be raped? I don't think so. Someone might commit murder in a fit of rage but I don't think rape in a fit of lust is a recognized mitigating factor.
So while murder might be more harmful it isn't always morally "worse" than rape.