The Pros And Cons Of Capital Punishment

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Over many centuries, the act of killing has been very controversial as it is argued to be barbaric but at the same time, a part of life. Many will disagree on whether killing can be even be justified, let alone condemned and permitted. Killing a person as punishment for the same offence is difficult to justify and essentially says that killing is allowed. Although the practice of the death penalty exists still, many societies argue how it is barbaric and is part of the past. In Canada however, the topic comes up fairly often as the United States still practices capital punishment in many states. Extensive research shows that capital punishment is unethical, has many flaws, and has a much larger cost than imprisonment. Therefore, through an examination of the ethical relationship, all the possible errors, and the costs, it is evident that …show more content…

According to Brian O’Neill, “On one hand, it has a righteous appeal as the only fitting punishment for the most egregious crimes. On the other, it is arguably hypocritical to use the underlying crime itself as punishment for the act” (Balancing Ethics and the Death Penalty). This quote argues how there are two sides and that there is no equal punishment to murder besides murder in itself. But at the same time, to commit a crime as a punishment for the same crime is very hypocritical and essentially supports the crime. This is a major issue because although capital punishment has the possibility to solve the problem, as in it makes certain there will be no re-offenders, it also stands as a negative influence because it gives the idea that murder is acceptable in society. When considering if murder is unethical, one should also consider the moral side of it. Claire Andre and Manuel Velasquez believe that, “The case against capital punishment is often made on the basis that society has a moral obligation to

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