The Ethics Of Capital Punishment Essay - 1675 Words

The number of individuals executed via the Death Penalty peaked in 1999 and has been receding at a dramatic rate. As it is becoming less frequently used, its necessity and morality has been called into question. Both sides of the argument offer convincing arguments; however, mounting evidence shows it is cost-prohibitive, it fails to act as a deterrent, it is racially biased, and that the justice system is fallible. I will analyze both sides critically to try and gain insight into why we are part of the 29% of countries who choose to retain it as a form of punishment. Moreover, the two ethical theories I will use to carry out this analysis involve the Harm Principle and Moral Relativism. Both ethical theories can support the pro and con side, so I will be using both as I look at each side of the debate. Using the principles outlined in the Harm Principle and Moral Relativism, I will analyze the morality of capital punishment and access which side the theories gravitate towards. To be gin, I will analyze the international underdog, the argument in support for maintaining capital punishment. In â€Å"In Liberty,† J. S Mill discusses that â€Å"...until your actions harm people, society can’t limit your free will. Laws are created to protect people from harm† (Marfori). When an individual commits a crime worthy of receiving the Death Penalty it is evident that they are a potential threat to endangering the life of others, in many cases they have already committed murder or anotherShow MoreRelatedThe Ethics Of Capital Punishment923 Words   |  4 Pages Capital punishment is a sentence that is given to someone that has committed a capital crime. This is a subject of great debate; some people agree and some do not. There are times when a crime is so heinous that the majority would seek capital punishment. Susan Gissendaner received this sentence for plotting to kill her husband, although her boyfriend actually killed her husband. Since being in prison, Susan has undergone a conversion and transformation. She is now a model prisoner. DueRead More The Ethics of Capital Punishment Essay1125 Words   |  5 PagesThe Ethics of Capital Punishment Ethics is the study of standards of right and wrong; that part of philosophy dealing with moral conduct, duty and judgement.[1] Capital Punishment is the death penalty for a crime.[2] The word capital in capital punishment refers to a persons head as in the past; people were often executed by severing their head from their body. Since the early 1800s, most executions have resulted from convictions for murder. The death penaltyRead MoreThe Ethics of Capital Punishment Essay1608 Words   |  7 PagesShould one person have the right to end another humans life? It is a question most people have the answer for when it comes to capital punishment. Capital punishment is known to some people one of the cruelest punishment to humanity. Some people believe giving a person the death penalty does not solve anything. While others believe it is payback to the criminal for the crime they have committed. There have been 13,000 people executed since the colonial times, among 1900 and 1985 there were 139Read MoreThe Ethics of Capital Punishment Essay1225 Words   |  5 Pagesanother? The disciplinary act of capital punishment, punishment through death, has been a major debate in the United States for years. Those in support of capital punishment believe that it is an end to the reoccurrence of a repeat murderer. The public has, for many years, been in favor of this few and pro-death penal ty. Yet as time goes on, records show a decrease in the public and the state’s support of the continuation of capital punishment. Those against capital punishment believe it is an immoral,Read MoreThe Ethics of Capital Punishment Essay examples1501 Words   |  7 Pagesthe United States only 38 states have capital punishment statutes. As of year ended in 1999, in Texas, the state had executed 496 prisoners since 1930. The laws in the United States have change drastically in regards to capital punishment. An example of this would be the years from 1968 to 1977 due to the nearly 10 year moratorium. During those years, the Supreme Court ruled that capital punishment violated the Eight Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. However, this ended in 1976, whenRead MoreCapital Punishment Should Not Be Legal950 Words   |  4 PagesCapital Punishment is still used in the United States, and there has been 152 people that has been released from death row since 1973. T here has been many more people that were not released but executed and possibly innocent. Kantian ethics is the theory that says the moral actions are not determined by the consequences but by the right nature of the action. Capital punishment may be questionable with some cases of innocents, with that being said the use of capital punishment should only be usedRead MoreSociology and Religion1517 Words   |  6 PagesBartkowski and Cullen explore in their article, â€Å"God Imagery and Opposition to Abortion and Capital Punishment: A Partial Test of Religious Support for the Consistent Life Ethic†, as to whether having a close relationship with God will allow people to oppose both capital punishment and abortion, the consistent life ethic. Research Question The hypothesis that researchers concluded for the consistent life ethic study was that, â€Å"We [the researchers] hypothesize that Americans who have a close relationshipRead MoreCapital Punishment : Imposition Of A Penalty Of Death By The State Essay1271 Words   |  6 PagesCapital punishment: Imposition of a penalty of death by the state. Capital punishment has been widely practiced ever since ancient times, as far back as 1500 B.C. From the fall of Rome to the beginning of modern times, capital punishment has been practiced all over the world. However, the problem in the justice system is that the death penalty can be wrongfully applied. This is rare but it does happen, the falsely incriminated is sentenced and executed. It is important that the government stillRead MoreIs Capital Punishment Ever Morally or Ethically Permissible?1599 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Capital punishment is never morally justified, and feminist, progressive and socialist ethics would always consider the social and family environment that produced the criminal in the first place, including poverty, racism, segregation or other types of oppression. It would also examine ways that society could be reformed on restricted in ways that would reduce oppression, such as ending the ghettoization of minorities or the extreme inequality between rich and poor in the United States. IndeedRead MorePros And Cons Of Capital Punishment1471 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Capital punishment is one of the most controversial ethical issues that our country faces these days. Capital punishment is the legal penalty of death for a person that has performed heinous acts in the eyes of the judicial system. Discussion on whether capital punishment is humane or considered cruel and unusual punishment has been the main issue this of debate for years. Recent discussion goes far beyond the act itself but now brings into question whether medical personal should