The Ethics of Capital Punishment Essay examples - 1501 Words

Americans have argued over the death penalty since the early days of our country. In the 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, when the Supreme Court reversed the ruling. They stated that the punishment of sentencing one to death does not perpetually infringe the Constitution. Richard Nixon†¦show more content†¦The theory of deterrence can be defined as the idea that the threat of punishment has to be severe enough to contradict the pleasure that the criminal would obtain from the crime. There are two types of deterrent s specific and general. A general deterrent could be explained as a person not committing a crime because of the outcome if they are caught. While a specific deterrent could be explained, that if a murder receives the death penalty and is executed, they will no longer be able to murder. H. Naci Mocan, an economist said â€Å"I personally am opposed to the death penalty, but my research shows that there is a deterrent effect.†2 Then the conclusion would be that in order for it to be a deterrent we must fear the outcome. Capital punishment is necessary because it shows that people willing to do heinous crimes will be held accountable for their actions. However, then the criminal is mercifully treated while they probably did not do the same to their victims. For if they had respected another’s’ life, they would not be on death row to begin with. This is necessary so that the law abiding citizens can see, there is justice that is upheld for those who are trespassed against. All the while, signs of respect are shown to those who do not always deserve. For the person undergoing the lethal injection procedure feels no pain and then they pass on. So theShow 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 MoreThe Ethics Of Capital Punishment Essay1675 Words   |  7 Pagespart 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 c apital punishment and access which side the theories gravitate towards. To beginRead 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 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 penalty. 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 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 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. There 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 Consisten t 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