Death Penalty
Yian Feng
Professor Hammons
Ethics
18 July 2013
Death Penalty
Abstract
Death Penalty, also known as capital punishment, refers to an execution based on the legal powers to end a criminal’s life. It is the severest penalty in the world, which was widely accepted in the past. However, with the development of social civilization in our modern life, the majority of countries have begun to abolish capital punishment including some states of the United States. Whereas China still retains the death penalty for murder and other serious crimes. So I am interested in this topic, and I will put forth the arguments in different sides, give my opinions of the issue and come to a conclusion.
Introduction Nowadays, the subject that whether the death penalty should be abolished has become one of the most controversial topics all over the world. Opinions vary from person to person resulting from different perspectives, such as morality, religion and society. Many people believe that the death penalty is inhuman. Others take the attitude that it is necessary to retain it to deter crime and “give criminals what they deserve.” My paper will analyze the arguments between Carol S. Steiker and Cass R. Sunsteins and Adrian Vermeule in terms of morality and argue for my own opinion on the issue.
(Yes) Cass R. Sunstein and Adrian Vermeule -- Is Capital Punishment Morally Required? Cass and Adrian’s argument is based on the evidence that the death penalty, which requires a life-life tradeoff, has a powerful and deterrent effect. They suggest, “On certain empirical assumptions, capital punishment may be morally required, not for retributive reasons, but rather to prevent the taking of innocent lives”(Sunstein, 705). They offer readers a series of recent evidence of a deterrent effect from capital punishment to emphasize their point. For instance, the murder rate in U.S. counties was sharply reduced because of both death sentences and executions between 1977 and 1996. In addition, they
Professor Hammons
Ethics
18 July 2013
Death Penalty
Abstract
Death Penalty, also known as capital punishment, refers to an execution based on the legal powers to end a criminal’s life. It is the severest penalty in the world, which was widely accepted in the past. However, with the development of social civilization in our modern life, the majority of countries have begun to abolish capital punishment including some states of the United States. Whereas China still retains the death penalty for murder and other serious crimes. So I am interested in this topic, and I will put forth the arguments in different sides, give my opinions of the issue and come to a conclusion.
Introduction Nowadays, the subject that whether the death penalty should be abolished has become one of the most controversial topics all over the world. Opinions vary from person to person resulting from different perspectives, such as morality, religion and society. Many people believe that the death penalty is inhuman. Others take the attitude that it is necessary to retain it to deter crime and “give criminals what they deserve.” My paper will analyze the arguments between Carol S. Steiker and Cass R. Sunsteins and Adrian Vermeule in terms of morality and argue for my own opinion on the issue.
(Yes) Cass R. Sunstein and Adrian Vermeule -- Is Capital Punishment Morally Required? Cass and Adrian’s argument is based on the evidence that the death penalty, which requires a life-life tradeoff, has a powerful and deterrent effect. They suggest, “On certain empirical assumptions, capital punishment may be morally required, not for retributive reasons, but rather to prevent the taking of innocent lives”(Sunstein, 705). They offer readers a series of recent evidence of a deterrent effect from capital punishment to emphasize their point. For instance, the murder rate in U.S. counties was sharply reduced because of both death sentences and executions between 1977 and 1996. In addition, they
References: Satris, S. (2012). Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Moral Issues. New York City: McGraw Hill. Steiker, Carol. "No, Capital Punishment Is Not Morally Required: Deterrence, Deontology, and the Death Penalty." Stanford Law Review. 58.3 (2005): 751-789. Web. 18 Jul. 2013. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/40040280>. Sunstein, Cass, and Adrian Vermeule . "Is Capital Punishment Morally Required? Acts, Omissions, and Life-Life Tradeoffs." Stanford Law Review. 58.3 (2005): 703-750. Web. 18 Jul. 2013. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/40040279>.