system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
I do not believe legal consequences should exist for any other purpose than to influence future behavior. CMV

In general, I believe that every action we take or decision we make is nothing more than the product of a series of chemical reactions/propagations in the brain ultimately triggered by external/environmental forces. Therefore, I do not believe anyone can truly be held accountable for any action they take. To take this notion further, I believe that the purpose of legal consequences is (or should be) to influence aggregate behavior and not for the purpose of vengeance, retribution, or as some kind of counterbalance for a given transgression. For example, punishments solely designed to appease victims and/or their families do not benefit society and any minimal benefit does not warrant the cost of performing them.

.... buuut, I’m just another imperfect ape roaming this rock and probably haven’t considered a lot of things. Change my view.

**Update:** As has been pointed out, there is a distinction to be made between civil law and criminal law. For the purposes of this topic, I am only focusing on criminal law. I haven't given much thought to the civil side of things, at least enough to have an opinion on it (and also whether or not it should be viewed in the same way).
gpt
>For example, punishments solely designed to appease victims and/or their families do not benefit society and any minimal benefit does not warrant the cost of performing them.

Such punishments, by providing a sense of closure to the victims, discourage vigilanteism and encourage people to seek prosecution; both of which are valuable for society.