I don’t think that the death penalty should be abolished worldwide because there are certain crimes for which death is deserved- murder being amongst them and crimes against children. There are people …Read MoreI don’t think that the death penalty should be abolished worldwide because there are certain crimes for which death is deserved- murder being amongst them and crimes against children. There are people in this world that don’t belong living amongst decent people in society, and I don’t think that the taxpayer should have to provide them with food, shelter, education and medical care, either.Read Less
I am undecided, more so becasue I have many issues with the progression of the criminal justice system that led us to having the death penalty. I do agree that there are some crimes that can warrant …Read MoreI am undecided, more so becasue I have many issues with the progression of the criminal justice system that led us to having the death penalty. I do agree that there are some crimes that can warrant it but I am also interested in alternative justice forms.Read Less
The death penalty should not be abolished anywhere. There are some crimes where the only way victims can receive justice is through death, for example serial rapist and child predators. Crimes where …Read MoreThe death penalty should not be abolished anywhere. There are some crimes where the only way victims can receive justice is through death, for example serial rapist and child predators. Crimes where the life of the victim is taken away yet they still are alive. I do think there needs to be extra protections for criminals to make sure they do not get the death sentence when they are innocent. But with predatory and sexual crimes there is more likely to be DNA evidence which is undeniable.Read Less
No…a firm No! We are living in an era of science where we can now use DNA testing to determine a suspect’s guilt or innocence. In England, we abolished the death penalty after nearly executing an …Read MoreNo…a firm No! We are living in an era of science where we can now use DNA testing to determine a suspect’s guilt or innocence. In England, we abolished the death penalty after nearly executing an innocent Irish terror suspect. That incident caused massive public outcry and highlighted the dangers of irreversible punishment. However, modern society now faces a different kind of threat… a rise in lone individuals randomly killing innocent citizens, often claiming political motives or mental illness. But this should not earn them a life of free food and shelter in prison. Crimes like stabbing random civilians, including children, should be punishable by death. If a criminal is truly mentally disturbed, then it’s clear they cannot function in or contribute to society. Every nation has the right to choose its punishments. We need to revisit the definition of mental illness in the context of heinous crimes. In some cases, the death penalty is necessary. We must make it clear that certain acts will not be tolerated. Right now, in the UK, we are housing some of the most brutal and disturbed individuals, people who will never contribute anything positive to society.Read Less
I am also undecided. I agree that there are some crimes that are so horrible, that the only form of justice for the victim is death for the person who committed the crime. However, I think that the …Read MoreI am also undecided. I agree that there are some crimes that are so horrible, that the only form of justice for the victim is death for the person who committed the crime. However, I think that the justice system, especially in the United States, needs to focus more on rehabilitation. There are also a good number of people who are wrongly convicted…Read Less
Obviously it’s not realistic to happen globally, I just support it. It’s not that I don’t think no one deserves it, as some do, it’s that every country that has had the death penalty has executed …Read MoreObviously it’s not realistic to happen globally, I just support it. It’s not that I don’t think no one deserves it, as some do, it’s that every country that has had the death penalty has executed multiple innocent people by mistake. That isn’t worth it. It also relies on trusting the state with that power, and assuming their morality is correct. Given things that people have been executed by the state for historically, I don’t. Plus it doesn’t really offer any benefit. it’s actually more expensive to execute someone than to imprison them for life, it doesn’t deter crime. Even the families of victims who push for execution usually say they didn’t get any satisfaction from it, and often say it wasn’t worth it.Read Less
I am also undecided. What I do know is that we should be very careful to avoid act utilitarianism’s slippery slope. We know for a fact that, no matter how rare, the death penalty has executed some …Read MoreI am also undecided. What I do know is that we should be very careful to avoid act utilitarianism’s slippery slope. We know for a fact that, no matter how rare, the death penalty has executed some innocent people. This should not be taken lightly, even if you believe the death penalty has a deterring effect. Why? Accepting the doctrine that it’s ok to sacrifice some innocent people for the “good of society” justified many other horrible actions. For instance, eugenics, farming 1 person’s organs to save 2 people, torturing people for “national security” (think Guantanamo Bay), etc. If you believe that the actions I just mentioned are good, then I cannot convince you of my position. However, if you don’t think that we should sacrifice some innocent individuals for the “general wellbeing” of society, then I encourage you to think deeper about the merits of deterrence and whether it is something you truly believe.Read Less
Rightly so. But if you move backward in time from the Utilitarian stance, go to Plato, you’ll find, through The Republic and The Apology, that Socrates ultimately concludes there’s no such thing …Read MoreRightly so. But if you move backward in time from the Utilitarian stance, go to Plato, you’ll find, through The Republic and The Apology, that Socrates ultimately concludes there’s no such thing as true justice. Whether you’re the one suffering injustice or the one inflicting it, Socrates argues it’s better to endure wrongdoing than to commit it.
Say, for example, my mother was murdered and I sought justice by demanding the murderer be put to death. In reality, there is no true justice; once an injustice has occurred, it cannot be undone. What we call justice is often just a pursuit of retribution. In truth, what citizens often seek is not justice, but redemption, and that, by definition, isn’t the same thing. Read Less
The death penalty is the correct and just answer to a number of crimes. However, in cases of even the slightest chance of innocence, the opportunity for an unjust administration of the punishment is …Read MoreThe death penalty is the correct and just answer to a number of crimes. However, in cases of even the slightest chance of innocence, the opportunity for an unjust administration of the punishment is unacceptable as well. Additionally, there are always people in every system that may take the opportunity to abuse the death penalty under certain circumstances. My ultimate answer is uncertain because, while I believe the death penalty can be right, it’s impossible to guarantee that the hands that pass it will be.Read Less
Yes, I believe the death penalty should be abolished, as it usually turns out to be more expensive for taxpayers than imprisonment, and because I personally believe the punishment is outdated and …Read MoreYes, I believe the death penalty should be abolished, as it usually turns out to be more expensive for taxpayers than imprisonment, and because I personally believe the punishment is outdated and immoral. There is also always a nonzero chance that someone is executed and it turns out they were innocent of their crime.Read Less
This is a difficult question because I know that it is going to be difficult to abolish the death penalty worldwide. There are many crimes where I believe the death penalty is deserved such as crimes …Read MoreThis is a difficult question because I know that it is going to be difficult to abolish the death penalty worldwide. There are many crimes where I believe the death penalty is deserved such as crimes dealing with murder and rape. However, I also see the other side of the argument, especially concerns about wrongful convictions and the moral issues surrounding the death penalty.Read Less
I don’t think that the death penalty should be abolished worldwide because there are certain crimes for which death is deserved- murder being amongst them and crimes against children. There are people …Read MoreI don’t think that the death penalty should be abolished worldwide because there are certain crimes for which death is deserved- murder being amongst them and crimes against children. There are people in this world that don’t belong living amongst decent people in society, and I don’t think that the taxpayer should have to provide them with food, shelter, education and medical care, either. Read Less
I am undecided, more so becasue I have many issues with the progression of the criminal justice system that led us to having the death penalty. I do agree that there are some crimes that can warrant …Read MoreI am undecided, more so becasue I have many issues with the progression of the criminal justice system that led us to having the death penalty. I do agree that there are some crimes that can warrant it but I am also interested in alternative justice forms. Read Less
The death penalty should not be abolished anywhere. There are some crimes where the only way victims can receive justice is through death, for example serial rapist and child predators. Crimes where …Read MoreThe death penalty should not be abolished anywhere. There are some crimes where the only way victims can receive justice is through death, for example serial rapist and child predators. Crimes where the life of the victim is taken away yet they still are alive. I do think there needs to be extra protections for criminals to make sure they do not get the death sentence when they are innocent. But with predatory and sexual crimes there is more likely to be DNA evidence which is undeniable. Read Less
No…a firm No! We are living in an era of science where we can now use DNA testing to determine a suspect’s guilt or innocence. In England, we abolished the death penalty after nearly executing an …Read MoreNo…a firm No! We are living in an era of science where we can now use DNA testing to determine a suspect’s guilt or innocence. In England, we abolished the death penalty after nearly executing an innocent Irish terror suspect. That incident caused massive public outcry and highlighted the dangers of irreversible punishment.
However, modern society now faces a different kind of threat… a rise in lone individuals randomly killing innocent citizens, often claiming political motives or mental illness. But this should not earn them a life of free food and shelter in prison. Crimes like stabbing random civilians, including children, should be punishable by death. If a criminal is truly mentally disturbed, then it’s clear they cannot function in or contribute to society.
Every nation has the right to choose its punishments. We need to revisit the definition of mental illness in the context of heinous crimes. In some cases, the death penalty is necessary. We must make it clear that certain acts will not be tolerated. Right now, in the UK, we are housing some of the most brutal and disturbed individuals, people who will never contribute anything positive to society. Read Less
I am also undecided. I agree that there are some crimes that are so horrible, that the only form of justice for the victim is death for the person who committed the crime. However, I think that the …Read MoreI am also undecided. I agree that there are some crimes that are so horrible, that the only form of justice for the victim is death for the person who committed the crime. However, I think that the justice system, especially in the United States, needs to focus more on rehabilitation. There are also a good number of people who are wrongly convicted… Read Less
Obviously it’s not realistic to happen globally, I just support it. It’s not that I don’t think no one deserves it, as some do, it’s that every country that has had the death penalty has executed …Read MoreObviously it’s not realistic to happen globally, I just support it. It’s not that I don’t think no one deserves it, as some do, it’s that every country that has had the death penalty has executed multiple innocent people by mistake. That isn’t worth it. It also relies on trusting the state with that power, and assuming their morality is correct. Given things that people have been executed by the state for historically, I don’t. Plus it doesn’t really offer any benefit. it’s actually more expensive to execute someone than to imprison them for life, it doesn’t deter crime. Even the families of victims who push for execution usually say they didn’t get any satisfaction from it, and often say it wasn’t worth it. Read Less
I am also undecided. What I do know is that we should be very careful to avoid act utilitarianism’s slippery slope. We know for a fact that, no matter how rare, the death penalty has executed some …Read MoreI am also undecided. What I do know is that we should be very careful to avoid act utilitarianism’s slippery slope. We know for a fact that, no matter how rare, the death penalty has executed some innocent people. This should not be taken lightly, even if you believe the death penalty has a deterring effect. Why? Accepting the doctrine that it’s ok to sacrifice some innocent people for the “good of society” justified many other horrible actions. For instance, eugenics, farming 1 person’s organs to save 2 people, torturing people for “national security” (think Guantanamo Bay), etc. If you believe that the actions I just mentioned are good, then I cannot convince you of my position. However, if you don’t think that we should sacrifice some innocent individuals for the “general wellbeing” of society, then I encourage you to think deeper about the merits of deterrence and whether it is something you truly believe. Read Less
Rightly so. But if you move backward in time from the Utilitarian stance, go to Plato, you’ll find, through The Republic and The Apology, that Socrates ultimately concludes there’s no such thing …Read MoreRightly so. But if you move backward in time from the Utilitarian stance, go to Plato, you’ll find, through The Republic and The Apology, that Socrates ultimately concludes there’s no such thing as true justice. Whether you’re the one suffering injustice or the one inflicting it, Socrates argues it’s better to endure wrongdoing than to commit it.
Say, for example, my mother was murdered and I sought justice by demanding the murderer be put to death. In reality, there is no true justice; once an injustice has occurred, it cannot be undone. What we call justice is often just a pursuit of retribution. In truth, what citizens often seek is not justice, but redemption, and that, by definition, isn’t the same thing. Read Less
The death penalty is the correct and just answer to a number of crimes. However, in cases of even the slightest chance of innocence, the opportunity for an unjust administration of the punishment is …Read MoreThe death penalty is the correct and just answer to a number of crimes. However, in cases of even the slightest chance of innocence, the opportunity for an unjust administration of the punishment is unacceptable as well. Additionally, there are always people in every system that may take the opportunity to abuse the death penalty under certain circumstances. My ultimate answer is uncertain because, while I believe the death penalty can be right, it’s impossible to guarantee that the hands that pass it will be. Read Less
Yes, I believe the death penalty should be abolished, as it usually turns out to be more expensive for taxpayers than imprisonment, and because I personally believe the punishment is outdated and …Read MoreYes, I believe the death penalty should be abolished, as it usually turns out to be more expensive for taxpayers than imprisonment, and because I personally believe the punishment is outdated and immoral. There is also always a nonzero chance that someone is executed and it turns out they were innocent of their crime. Read Less
This is a difficult question because I know that it is going to be difficult to abolish the death penalty worldwide. There are many crimes where I believe the death penalty is deserved such as crimes …Read MoreThis is a difficult question because I know that it is going to be difficult to abolish the death penalty worldwide. There are many crimes where I believe the death penalty is deserved such as crimes dealing with murder and rape. However, I also see the other side of the argument, especially concerns about wrongful convictions and the moral issues surrounding the death penalty. Read Less