Is Capital Punishment Moral?
Capital punishment has been an immutable aspect of society and the legal system for centuries, regarded as a means for administering justice and a way to liberate the environment from treacherous criminals. People supporting both sides of the controversial issue continue to debate endlessly to enhance support for their movements. Many can pose the argument that this is justified, citing the bible as a reference in Matthew 5:38, “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth”, the goal of this law of retaliation was originally implemented to keep revenge within certain boundaries, and to prohibit the acceleration in violent acts (Baron, 393). Opposing individuals would argue that capital punishment “is the equivalent of murder” (Vollum and Longmire, 20). Despite both views, capital punishment is wrong in the moral sense because the process involves taking the life of an individual in a cruel and uncommon manner. Capital punishment is the equivalent of murder, except that this murder is performed legally. This act of injustice also serves to show no form of deterring future criminals from committing such acts.
First, the argument for the support of capital punishment will be evaluated. There are currently thirty-four states in the USA that are in support of the death penalty (Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC), 1). According to Colon, the act of capital punishment would serve as a form of “retribution and deterrence” (1416). Retribution is explained in the manner that supports the criminal receiving the “deserved” form of justice (1416). Deterrence is supported by the notion that life in prison would ultimately equate to death as well, so both end results (life in prison versus capital punishment) would “generally deter” (1416). The penalty of death is likely to have more of a significant effect as a deterrent to normal human beings than any other form of punishment. Executions assure the public's demand that convicted murderers... [continues]
Capital punishment has been an immutable aspect of society and the legal system for centuries, regarded as a means for administering justice and a way to liberate the environment from treacherous criminals. People supporting both sides of the controversial issue continue to debate endlessly to enhance support for their movements. Many can pose the argument that this is justified, citing the bible as a reference in Matthew 5:38, “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth”, the goal of this law of retaliation was originally implemented to keep revenge within certain boundaries, and to prohibit the acceleration in violent acts (Baron, 393). Opposing individuals would argue that capital punishment “is the equivalent of murder” (Vollum and Longmire, 20). Despite both views, capital punishment is wrong in the moral sense because the process involves taking the life of an individual in a cruel and uncommon manner. Capital punishment is the equivalent of murder, except that this murder is performed legally. This act of injustice also serves to show no form of deterring future criminals from committing such acts.
First, the argument for the support of capital punishment will be evaluated. There are currently thirty-four states in the USA that are in support of the death penalty (Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC), 1). According to Colon, the act of capital punishment would serve as a form of “retribution and deterrence” (1416). Retribution is explained in the manner that supports the criminal receiving the “deserved” form of justice (1416). Deterrence is supported by the notion that life in prison would ultimately equate to death as well, so both end results (life in prison versus capital punishment) would “generally deter” (1416). The penalty of death is likely to have more of a significant effect as a deterrent to normal human beings than any other form of punishment. Executions assure the public's demand that convicted murderers... [continues]
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