Capital punishment
The question as to whether or not it is morally acceptable for the state to execute people, and if so under what circumstances, has been debated for centuries.
The ethical problems involved include the general moral issues of punishment with the added problem of whether it is ever morally right to deprive a human being of life.
Introduction
In favour of the death penalty
- Retribution or justice
- Deterrence
- Rehabilitation
- Prevention of re-offending
- Closure and vindication
- Incentive for helping the police
- A Japanese argument
- Value of human life
- The right to live
- Execution of the innocent
- Retribution is wrong
- Deterrence
- It brutalises society
- It's too expensive
- People not responsible for their acts
- Unfair application
- Cruel, inhumane or degrading
- It's unnecessary
- Free will
