Introduction This module is designed to provide a critical
understanding of the arguments for and against capital punishment.
Those who argue for capital punishment think that it is good or
just for the state to put people, guilty of horrendous crimes,
to death. Those who argue against capital punishment think that
the state should not put people to death, no matter how horrible
their crime.
Key
Concepts and Vocabulary
•
Retributivism: A general theory of punishment which advocates the
infliction of pain on the offender which is commensurate with the
crime. Possible reform of the individual or future deterrence of
crime is not a reason for punishment.
•
Utilitarianism: A general moral theory which states that one’s
actions should be guided by a principle which produces the overall
best outcome to all of those affected by one’s actions.
In the issue of capital punishment, utilitarians may justify capital
punishment on the grounds that it does produce the overall best
outcome by deterring crime and/or by rehabilitating the offender. View
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Background
for Classroom
Activities
This
module is best approached as an attempted solution to an important
ethical problem. Given the fact that human beings continue to commit
horrendous crimes, societies are faced with the problem of deciding
the appropriate punishment for such crimes. So, the problem can
be stated as a question: Is capital punishment morally justifiable
or might life-imprisonment be enough? The problem-based approach
is particularly suited to active student engagement designed to
develop and enhance the set of skills outlined in the “educational
objectives.” View
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