Death Penalty

Death Penalty

Tammy Wahlstrand

PHI 200: Mind and Machine

Professor Constance Dolecki

April 16, 2012

Death Penalty

Throughout history as far back as the fifth century B.C. with the Roman Laws there have been many different forms of capital punishment and has been a big debate for many years whether it is right or wrong. The death penalty is a way to punish those who commit such a heinous crime such as murder. There is that old saying “an eye for an eye” which describes that of the death penalty, someone kills another human then they should pay for their act of crime. In my view I agree with the form of capital punishment especially for those who commit such crimes as mass murder. Others would argue this by saying it is not alright to use the death penalty on people, they believe it is impermissible. Often they add capital punishment is not, and cannot be imposed in a way that adheres to the rule of the law (Sunstein 2006). There is the part of this debate were some people say what if the criminal was falsely accused of the crime, you are taking an innocent life. Is it morally right to impose a death penalty sentence on someone who commits a capital crime? There have been some people for the death penalty who say it is considered to be a deterrent for future criminals. The debate of capital punishment whether it is right or wrong will always be there and will be debated in all aspects of life.

By the use of the death penalty it can save lives, those of which would be people whom the criminal would not be able to prey against. There have been studies and polls published to show the number of people that have been put to death for their crimes. There is one in which states, State and federal courts executed thirty-seven inmates in 2008 a fourteen-year low. The thirty-seven executions also represent a continued downward trend from a peak of ninety-eight in 1999. In addition, state and federal...