...leaders that failed to see the damage their biases and self-centeredness was causing, it is possible that not nearly as many convicts would be facing the horrors of death row in America today. The problem is that within our justice system today, discrimination and prejudices continue to destroy many lives. Although in our modern society of perceived acceptance and toleration, people want to believe discrimination is a problem of the past, this is sadly not the situation. Subtle, but potent prejudices towards race and social class continue to plague and disease the upholding of justice in our society today. Although statistics can be manipulated to serve a personal agenda, the issue of racial discrimination should not...
Words: 1030 - Pages: 5
...A Catharsis for All Henry Louis Mencken’s essay, entitled "The Penalty of Death," is a persuasive essay about the death penalty. The author does not attempt to alter the reader’s opinion as to the merits of the death penalty. He attempts to answer two questions most commonly heard in his day. First, executing a person is a terrible business and it “degrades” (Mencken) those whom-ever choose to administer this style of justice as a profession. He addresses this first question by simply agreeing with it. Most people would agree that the prospect of being the hangman is a vocation that would be most unpleasant. He points out that although it may be unpleasant, it is still necessary for society to support such a profession. The second question he addresses is to those that view capital punishment as a useless deterrent to crime. The author contends that those who wish to abolish the death sentence are in error if their assumption is founded solely upon the mistaken belief that the “whole purpose” of punishing a criminal is to deter some potential future crime. Mencken believes that they are “confusing [a] part with the whole” (Mencken). The future deterrent is only a part of the “whole purpose” of punishing a criminal. There are many more reasons to list: like revenge, justice, or relief just to name a few. Mencken's primary purpose is to identify the motive for this type of punishment. He identifies this motive as a catharsis, and he describes it as a "healthy letting out of...
Words: 1222 - Pages: 5
...Frytzala Panagiota Assignment name: Argumentative essay Attempt: regular Academic year: 2016 Words: 368/350 Filename: Argumentative essay “Do people who commit heinous crimes deserve the death penalty?” Death penalty should be abolished or not? That is the one of the most important issues concerning many. Some say that it is the ultimate denial of human rights with others believing that it the fairest punishment for people that have committed heinous crimes. Beginning I want to state that most of the criminals that have committed a serious crime such as paedophilia or murder do not have a sense of humanity in them. Furthermore that happens because these people are so ignorant that they think they can do as they like by killing or raping, like the world belongs to them. Many argue that in cases like this death penalty should be enforced. Not only cause they have killed or rape but due to the fact that our prison system is in terrible condition. As a result to the overpopulation in the penal institutions it is widely believed even among criminals that our prisons are like universities of crime too them. Moreover people that exit penitentiary commit the same crimes or even worse. In the same way the paedophiles get away with committing the worst crime by being released after several years by committing the same crimes again and again. On the other hand the arguments opposing to the death penalty are mainly ethical in their nature. Basically that is wrong to kill...
Words: 410 - Pages: 2
...might use the hedonic calculus in making moral decisions. Introduction Utilitarianism is an ethical theory, introduced by Bentham, in guiding people on how to make moral decisions, based on the outcome of your actions. Does the action that you are going to do, bring pleasure to the majority of people? This is the whole basis of utilitarianism. The hedonic calculus is a part of the decision making process in utilitarianism, it is a guide with 7 measures, which help the utilitarian make a moral decision. This essay will look at the ethical issue of death penalty and how a utilitarian will use the hedonic calculus in making a moral decision. 1st paragraph Death penalty * What is it? * Controversial debate * Talk about how modern society compensation, people want pay back for the loss * Many are in favour some aren’t believe life is valuable 2nd paragraph * A terrorist * Death penalty favourable great happiness * Looking at the hedonic calculus 7 measures how they fit in category? Benefit society how? * Summarise back to the question yes utilitarian then see its good moral decision say it’s good considering all views 3rd paragraph Counter argument * However, doesn’t look at the minority? * How can utilitarian use the hedonic calculus to make a decision? It doesn’t look what else can happen from the action u do. More death threats for the country etc. * Subjective * Summarise back to question 4th paragraph ...
Words: 600 - Pages: 3
...Essay opposing death sentence Student details Institutional affiliations Introduction There has been an argument that lifting amnesty on miscreants and vagabonds is barbaric and retrogressive. The same argument is seen on the death penalty, and it has been a controversial issue not only in the USA but also in the rest part of the world. The death sentence has been a verdict to individuals who have committed a capital offence. However, this is not considerably the best way to punish the guilty. It is necessary some sympathy be expressed to the guilty party since they could at one point in life decide to change for the better. The death sentence is not the noblest way to counter violence. In this case, it would appear as if it is tat for tat, or to repay violence wit violence. Several civil rights and religious groups have been against death sentence claiming that there is no outright prove that the convict is guilty or not. What if the accused is just innocent and is just accused falsely? There are several ethical downsides of the death sentence and the reasons it should be abolished or not used at all. Several religious and civil rights activists haven't found it easy to negotiate about this penalty. There is a lot of both religious and ethical concerns about the issue that have prompted different groups to oppose staunchly this sentence. Subjecting a person to a death penalty is unconstitutional. The main reason has the fact that the individual living also has his right...
Words: 1251 - Pages: 6
...Death Penalty Essay Those who believe that deterrence justifies the execution of certain offenders bear the burden of proving that the death penalty is a deterrent. The overwhelming conclusion from years of deterrence studies is that the death penalty is, at best, no more of a deterrent than a sentence of life in prison. The sentiment that the death penalty is a deterrent to crime is widely accepted as false. Citing such a reason like deterrence is not even a part of many pro death penalty supporters’ arguments. The Death penalty causes so much controversy due to the ethical and moral implications. However, due to the inherit volatility of trying to ascertain “what is right” the death penalty along those lines has continued and will continue to be a subject of debate. Personal opinion aside, according to statistical data the death penalty is not a deterrent. According to thedeathpenaltyinfo.org, States in the United States that do not employ the death penalty generally have lower murder rates than states that do. The same is true when the U.S. is compared to countries similar to it. The US homicide rate, which has declined substantially since 1992 from a rate per 100,000 persons of 9.8 to 4.8 in 2010, is still among the highest in the industrialized world. There were 14,748 homicides in the United States in 2010, including non-negligent manslaughter .The U.S., with the death penalty, has a higher murder rate than the countries of Europe or Canada, which do not use the death...
Words: 844 - Pages: 4
...The Death Penalty Introduction The death penalty is a huge controversial issue all over the world. This punishment is carried out by the country's government when a citizen of that country disobeys the law by committing an unthinkable crime, such as rape or murder. But having the death penalty has it negatives as well as the benefits to a country .In this assignment I research and discuss , the benefits as well as the negatives. Currently, there are thirty-three states in which the death penalty is legal and seventeen states that have abolished it all together . I believe the death penalty should be legal as I will now debate . There are many reasons as to why I believe the death penalty should be legalized, including deterrence, retribution, and morality; and also their are other arguments to this topic that do not show enough evidence to prove it is wrong. This discussion is important because I feel it is a decision made within what you believe is right. I don't see why society should tolerate such people, I suppose throwing a person in prison for life works, but then again why should good citizens who go about their daily lives and pay their taxes and be responsible for supporting the life of a peadophile or murderer ? My hypothesis is the death penalty, is more beneficial than harmful. My research report will be based in the United States , as the USA still has the death penalty in many of their states. What is the Death Penalty? The death penalty, also...
Words: 1251 - Pages: 6
...The Death Penalty Lucious Davis PHI200: Mind and Machine Instructor: Michelle Loudermilk October 10, 2011 The United States is still one of the countries that still use the death penalty as punishment for crimes. While some see it as barbaric and totally against American values, others view it as an important deterrent to violent crimes- such as murder. Regardless of which side you are on, one thing is for sure- the debate isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Capital punishment, another name for the death penalty, has been present in the United States since 1608. This is the process by which a person a person is tried and put to death for crimes they have committed. The list of crimes that are punishable by death vary from state to state (the U.S. government and the U.S. military have their own criteria), as well as the methods used for execution. Lethal injection is the standard for execution, but there are several other methods used, including: electrocution, hanging, and death by firing squad. Although every state does not employ the death penalty- a vast majority do. Along with the District of Columbia and the U.S. government, 36 states currently have the power to execute inmates. Through the centuries there has been endless debate about the morality, legality, and constitutionality of capital punishment. For many (and for my paper’s sake) the debate is whether or not the death penalty is ethical. Specifically, is it ethical to put someone to death for...
Words: 2978 - Pages: 12
...Which is the most appropriate justification for punishment – deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation or incapacitation? Give reasons for your answer. In this essay the following methods of punishment; deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation and incapacitation will be critically evaluated with example to reference, thus the most appropriate method in collaboration with the justice system for the UK can be selected. There has been much debate with regards to the meaning and purpose let alone the most efficient method of punishment for many years. For the purpose of this essay punishment can be defined as ‘social artefact’ Garland (1990). Punishment such as prison and ASBOs tell us a lot about society such as who has broken the law and who is legit and trustable, nevertheless dose this in reality justify why punishment exists and conducted in a social environment? As stated by Durkheim punishment has a diverse effect on each person certain people react in a positive manner and others in a negative. However he left us to question from all the different strategies at the core of punishment which one actually works in different places or at different times, do societies use different kinds of penal strategy? Why did punishment such as ducking stools and stocks go out of fashion? Why have so many industrial democracies given up on capital punishment? Why has imprisonment become such an important form of punishment” Hudson, J (2003). Capital punishment can be defined as...
Words: 2282 - Pages: 10
...Corporate Responsibility and Marketing Strategies Tracy Crayton Contemporary Business; BUS 508 Dr. Laura Jones Strayer University April 25, 2014 Corporate Responsibilities and Marketing Strategies Apple Corporation is well known for employing technological masterminds. The company has undergone extreme successes and failures since its humble beginnings. One such failure was made known to the public in 1996 at the famous “MacWorld” Expo when Apple announced that it was taking a $68 million quarterly loss (Goodell, 1996). Fast forward to 2006, Apple finds itself in the hot seat for violations of worker rights, deaths and even suicides (Chun, 2011). What does all of this mean? Can a company produce a great product and literally get away with murder? Will society look away because we love our iPads and iPhones? This essay will exam Apple’s ethical and social obligations and the consequences of violating these obligations. It will also present processes that may be implemented to assist Apple in adhering to wage and benefits standards. It will address concerns in regards to passing costs of improving to customers and the customer’s willingness to pay more for the highly desired products. Finally, Apple’s marketing strategy will be observed in order to determine recommendations to improve its competitive advantage. Overview of Apple Apple Inc. is a global corporation, based in Cupertino, California, that produces technology ranging from computer servers to software...
Words: 1966 - Pages: 8
...Philo. 5 Finally Essay Questions 1. Ethical relativism is the theory that there are no universally valid moral principles, that all moral principles are valid relative to culture or individual choice. Thus it means what's right for you may not be what's right for me. So most probably, ethical relativist would have tons of different opinions among the 19 people and me. Some might think to protect themselves are the truths, thus they would kill Freddy. Some might regard that we are friends, so we could not betrayed each other, thus, as a result, people would not kill Freddy, and instead, all of the persons in the caves would be drowned. In Philosophy, egoism is the theory that one's self is, or should be, the motivation and the goal of one's own action. It advises us to love ourselves first even if it means hurting others. So in this case, if there are ethical egoists in the group, for these people, whom love themselves greater than anyone else, would blow Freddy out decidedly. Because if and only if they kill Freddy, thus it makes them sure for surviving from the rising tide. The definition of utilitarianism is that a doctrine that the useful is the good and that the determining consideration of right conduct should be the usefulness of its consequences. Also we can understand this meaning as a theory that the aim of action should be the largest possible balance of pleasure over pain or the greatest happiness of the greatest number. So in this case, utilitarian would mostly...
Words: 1394 - Pages: 6
...Individuals tend to think of law as a body of institutions and rules that govern a society with the intention of maintaining social order, upholding justice and resolving disputes in the interests of the common good. However, any legal system must be more deeply founded than that if it is to last for long and operate effectively. This essay will explore concepts on the storied nature of law. In recognising that stories are an important part not only of individual understanding of the world, but also in interpreting the law, this essay will seek to expose the myth of objectivity in legal narratives by exploring the favouring of facts within stories of legal adjudication and interpretation. Stories are one way that individuals deal with their...
Words: 1262 - Pages: 6
...the pain suffered by the victim. Deterrence can be further classified into two forms: general and specific. General deterrence seeks to influence individuals prior to the commission of a crime through fear of the known penalty. Specific deterrence focuses on seeking to impose punishment on the individual for lesser crimes in attempts to deter repeating or escalating criminal behavior. Incapacitation serves to remove individuals from society to ensure the safety of its members [3]. Capital punishment, commonly referred to as the death penalty, is the most extreme form of punishment imposed on an individual. It is currently defined as “the execution of a convicted criminal as punishment for the most serious of crimes [2]. Despite its current definition, its use throughout history has not always been so clearly defined and limiting. This paper will serve to discuss capital punishment and its application across time and the world. Application and Evolution Even before recorded history, early man formed tribal societies. These tribes were necessary to ensure survival in their sometimes harsh environment. Food, shelter and protection were afforded with increased numbers and banishment or shunning of an individual was used as man’s earliest implementation of a death sentence. Although they did not actively execute the individual, loss of position in tribal societies were, in...
Words: 2947 - Pages: 12
...SANCTIONS Introduction This essay main is to conduct a critically, and logically analyze of both the economic and ethical consequences that emanate from imposed economic sanctions. The first section of the essay will also deeply appreciate on the definition of an economic sanction and also clearly and logically evaluate whether it is a good strategy to make the other nations honor and respect their demands. This is mostly with an aim to avoid any form of generalization that is done by most people who assume it’s a good practice and also a form of defensive mechanism to coerce the other nation consider on its ultimatums by delivering and basing my argument on a critical analysis point of view. The second paragraph will mainly constitute and analyze the effects of an imposed economic sanction as well as it’s political, ethical, and economic impact on the nations involved. On the conclusion bit, I will give an opinion putting into consideration both the positive and the negative effects of the economic sanctions and also assess on their viability and applicability. Main body Ethics or morality, rather than being general, are highly diversified according to different times, spaces, and groups. As Nardin argued, “ethics involves principles, but it also involves the interpretation and application of these principles by particular persons in particular circumstances” (1992: 2). Economic sanctions are a form of domestic fines and even penalties that are imposed by one mainly...
Words: 1267 - Pages: 6
...consequentialist and non-consequentialist elements. What distinguishes these theories is their focus and goals: Consequentialist theories are forward-looking, concerned with the future consequences of punishment; non-consequentialist theories are backward-looking, interested solely in past acts and mental states; and mixed theories are both forward- and backward-looking, with each hybrid placing a different emphasis on culpable past conduct versus future consequences. The present paper will briefly examine the two dominant consequentialist and non-consequentialist theories of criminal punishment–utilitarianism and retributivism, respectively–as well as leading hybrid theories. In between using the utilitarian and Kantian arguments fallacy of death penalty has also been explored. Research Methodology Aims and objectives: Present paper attempts to sketch the significance of two seemingly opposing justifications of punishment....
Words: 6603 - Pages: 27
