A Form of Revenge for Taking Life of Another Person - Case Study Example

Capital Punishment (p.193) Arguably, death penalty has been a controversial issue since its first introduction as critics argue that it is a violation of human rights, that is, the right to life. However, is currently practiced in a number of countries and states and the proponents argue that it prevents the criminals from having a chance to kill again. Others argue that capital punishment send a message to other people or offenders who may be considering killing that if they do so, they will also get the same in form of punishment. The third argument for capital punishment is that it is not possible for such offenders to reform, and so rehabilitation is a waste of time and keeping them in prison is a waste of tax payer’s money. Still some people think it is a restoration of moral order because it is a form of revenge for taking life of another person. On the other hand, people who are against capital punishment argue that life is sacred given by God, and thus making the decision to take life of another person is not in human hands, and it is a wrong act. In addition, studies shows that state which practice death penalty do not have lower homicide rates; therefore, the argument is that it does not help in reducing crime; instead, it increases the prevalence of crime as it encourage use of violence. Finally, another argument in this case is that death penalty does not give the offenders a chance to appeal, which may enable them to prove their innocence (Thiroux and Krasemann 193). Nevertheless, America is one of the countries that practice death penalty despite the claim that it violates the provisions of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution. It may be preferred as a punishment for capital crime, but death penalty does not take into account that the offender might be indeed innocent. Consequently, many offenders have been killed through death penalties only for evidence to come out later showing that they were innocent (Thiroux and Krasemann 193). Impliedly, most of the people put on the death row are African Americans or minority groups, whom mostly turn out to be innocent due to new DNA evidence. There are two sides to death penalty, that is, advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of death penalty are that it honors human dignity by regarding the defendant as a free moral character who chooses to control his/her own destiny whether for a good cause or a bad one. Another advantage is that it saves the tax payer money that might be used to keep the same offender in prison for life. Since the people who commit capital crimes are perceived to be always dangerous, capital punishment serves to ensure safety of prison guards and other personnel who come into contact with these violent prisoners (Kronenwetter 67). Another advantage of capital punishment is that the people who lost their loved ones get a chance for revenge, and as a result, this may make them have some peace and grieve for their loved one. Some people also claim that one of the advantages of death penalty is that it is better than life imprisonment, which is more futile and cruel. The disadvantages of capital punishment are that it is not a humane act as life is sacred and should not be taken by another individual. Another disadvantage is that it does not bring back the person who was killed, as well as life of the offender cannot equate the crime committed. The pain and method of capital punishment is subjective to the norms of the society, as in some it can be cruel while others it can be painless depending on the method used. Death penalty does not give prisoners enough chance and time to seek forgiveness that every individual is entitled to according to the Will of God. The act is also a disadvantage because it is a violation of human rights, and the acts leads to playing God because only He has the right to take life through natural ways (Bessler 156). There is no reduction in homicide rates or crime rates in places that practice capital punishment. Last but not least, death penalty is unfavorable because it leads to execution of innocent individuals. Utilitarian Approach According to utilitarian approach, justifies that the offender should be subjected to punishment, but only if the consequences of this punishment results in greater good or maximize on good consequences, as well as deter future crimes. To some extent, punishment is effective in reducing crime and this is when it is applied in different ways according to utilitarian approach. Rehabilitation is another means of preventing crime. Another reason is appropriate punishment whereby critics argue that a crime should by punishable treatment proportional to the crime hence death penalty for those who commit murder. However, when it comes to capital punishment, there is no chance for rehabilitation as the offender is sentenced to execution. Basing my arguments on utilitarian theory, capital punishment serves maximum good of the wider public because by killing the person, it deters him from committing a similar crime or any other violent crime. Furthermore, if the person is left to roam freely in prison, he is a danger to prison guards, fellow prisoners and other prison workers because of his violent nature. Hence, death penalty prevents the person from harming people in prison thereby serving good for the benefit of the public. In addition, one only serves a punishment that is proportional to the crime committed, and so there is no other punishment that can match murder than murder itself. Virtue Ethics Virtue ethics focus less on outcomes of peoples’ actions, but more on the characters and circumstances that leads to these actions. As a result, it emphasizes on development of positive characters such as generosity, kindness among other virtues critical for the good of the society. This is the approach that should be taken when it comes to death penalty. Instead of execution, the state needs to develop programs that will enhance good character development in the society and among the prisoners. For instance, since most people who commit violent crime are believed to have difficulties in controlling and managing their anger, introducing anger management program would help this people learn how to manage their anger. As a result, they will not be a security risk to themselves, as well as others such as prison guards. It is essential to evaluate the root cause of capital crimes and develop measures to prevent them. Therefore, encouraging positive character development in people is one of the solutions that will help them in making right and moral decisions. Works Cited Bessler, John D. Cruel and Unusual: The American Death Penalty and the Founders' Eighth Amendment. Boston, MA: Northeastern University Press, 2012. Print. Kronenwetter, Michael. Capital Punishment: A Reference Handbook. ABC-CLIO, 2001. Print. Thiroux, Jacques P. and Keith W. Krasemann. Ethics: Theory and Practice. Pearson, 2011. Web. Read More