Introduction
Capital punishment is one of the most controversial issues in today’s society. Some people support this practice, considering it a necessary measure for grave crimes. In contrast, others argue that the death penalty violates basic ethical principles and is unacceptable in a civilized society. The capital punishment is not only an unethical method of punishment but also ineffective in achieving its goals. Its use is unfair and does not correspond to the development of civilized societies that strive for justice, morality, and humanity. Instead, it is necessary to improve alternative methods of punishment that will allow criminals to be punished justly and effectively and help create more humane and progressive legal systems.
Consideration of Ethical Aspects
The capital punishment has long been a subject of intense debate. Among the numerous arguments against capital punishment, the violation of the right to life stands out as particularly contentious. This right, considered by the international community as one of the bedrock principles of human existence, enshrines the notion that every individual has an inalienable right to live unfettered by restrictions or exceptions. Capital punishment violates this fundamental right by summarily extinguishing the life of the condemned (Braswell et al., 2023). While proponents may argue that such actions are justifiable in certain circumstances when, for example, the lives of others are endangered such reasoning fails to absolve the fundamental contradiction of capital punishment with the concept of respect for human dignity.
The imposition of the death penalty constitutes a stark contradiction to the foundational humanistic and democratic values integral to modern societies. Furthermore, the practice of capital punishment directly opposes the principle of equality before the law. It has the potential to lead to the egregious violation of human rights. In certain contexts, the utilization of the capital punishment may result in the unwarranted execution of individuals who are unable to adequately defend themselves, particularly in jurisdictions where the justice system is underdeveloped or lacks the necessary resources (Altman, 2023).
In some cases, the imposition of capital punishment may be motivated by political or social factors and utilized to suppress oppositional movements. Furthermore, introducing the capital punishment may deleteriously affect public perception and attitudes toward the value of life. When the state sanctions the taking of life as a form of punishment, it may contribute to the erosion of societal respect for human life and, in turn, lead to an increase in the incidence of violent crime.
In addition, the capital punishment can be erroneous, leading to unjust killings. Mistakes are still possible despite the justice system striving for maximum accuracy and fairness. Moreover, if, in the case of an error in the punishment of life imprisonment, a person has the opportunity to rectify the situation, then there will be no correction in the case of the death penalty (Altman, 2023). Historical data confirm that the capital punishment can be erroneous. There were many cases when people were wrongly accused and sentenced to death. It is also known that the justice system can be subject to political pressure, leading to incorrect verdicts.
Alternative Methods of Punishment
However, it is worth noting that several alternative methods of punishment can be considered an alternative to the death penalty. One such method is life imprisonment. In this case, the criminal stays in prison for life, deprived of freedom but still alive. This punishment is more humane and just, as it does not take away a person’s life, which can be unjust in case of a wrongful sentence (Pollock, 2021). Another method is rehabilitation. This method of punishment involves the rehabilitation of the criminal in society. The criminal can receive education, vocational training, and job assistance. This helps the criminal to restore his place in society, restore his reputation, and avoid repeating crimes.
However, even if the crime is too severe, and the person is 100% guilty, there are still several reasons why the justice system should not resort to the capital punishment when dealing with a serial killer, psycho, or maniac. Capital punishment is not an effective crime deterrent. Research has consistently shown that the threat of the capital punishment does not significantly reduce the incidence of violent crime (Braswell et al., 2023). This is particularly true in cases involving psychopaths or serial killers, who are often driven by psychological factors not influenced by the threat of punishment. Finally, the use of the death penalty is costly and time-consuming. Legal proceedings for death penalty cases can last many years and involve significant resources. This diverts resources away from other vital areas, such as crime prevention, victim support, and rehabilitation of offenders.
Arguments in Its Favor of Capital Punishment and Their Refutation
Although many proponents of capital punishment are convinced of its ethics and effectiveness, some critically evaluate its use. One of the main arguments in favor of capital punishment is that it serves as a means of preventing murder. Such an argument is based on the idea that the threat of capital punishment can stop potential killers from committing a crime. However, many studies show that the effectiveness of this method is not high. Some even argue that capital punishment can stimulate violence, as people who fear it may try to fight to the end.
Another common argument is that capital punishment is the only way to punish such a severe crime as murder. However, this statement does not consider the possibility of a court error that can lead to an unjust death. Even if the judicial system strives to avoid mistakes, they are not excluded. An error in the case of capital punishment has irreparable consequences. Also, many supporters of capital punishment claim it is a way of moral retribution and punishes criminals for their misdeeds. However, capital punishment can create a culture of violence if we consider it a way of moral retribution (Attfield, 2022). Instead of promoting the idea of repentance and change, capital punishment only reinforces a cycle of violence and revenge.
In addition, there is an argument favoring the death penalty based on the idea that it is more economically efficient than a long-term imprisonment sentence. Supporters of this argument also argue that it can help address prison overcrowding (Attfield, 2022). However, these arguments can also be subject to intense criticism. Additional financial resources, as well as qualified personnel and special conditions for prisoners, are required to carry out the capital punishment, which ultimately can cost the state more than keeping the prisoner in prison for life. In addition, the death penalty can prolong the trial and appeal process for many years, as in the case of the capital punishment, it is necessary to ensure the guilt of the accused and the correctness of the sentence.
The Capital Punishment in The USA
The capital punishment is a topic that causes intense debates in different countries and cultures. There are a tremendous amount of different opinions and perspectives on this issue. Some countries, such as the United States, apply the capital punishment and justify it in the interests of justice, while other countries, such as Germany, are categorically opposed to this method of punishment, considering it cruel and unethical.
In the United States, issues with the death penalty are especially acute. According to Amnesty International, the United States is in fifth place in the world in the number of executions in recent years, following only China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq (Pollock, 2021). However, unlike these countries, the United States is a democratic state where the principles of the rule of law and respect for human rights are observed. Nevertheless, the capital punishment system in the United States is subject to sharp criticism for its many shortcomings.
One of the main arguments of the opponents of the capital punishment in the United States is that the capital punishment system is unfair and more likely for minorities. Studies show that blacks and Mexicans are more likely to receive a death sentence than whites. In addition, the death penalty system in the United States suffers from severe deficiencies in the administration of justice, such as inadequate funding for public defense and the ineffectiveness of lawyers, jurors, and judicial procedures that can lead to wrong judgments and illegal executions (Pollock, 2021). Another aspect that causes concern is using the capital punishment in the United States as a political tool. In some states, the death penalty is applied more often during election campaigns to demonstrate a tough stance on crime and to attract voter support. This leads to harsher sentences being imposed on the capital punishment, regardless of the circumstances of the case.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be said that the discussion of the application of the capital punishment has sparked heated debates among its supporters and opponents. While considering arguments in favor and against the use of the capital punishment, both practical and ethical problems related to this method of punishment have been identified. The arguments presented in this work allow us to conclude that the capital punishment is unethical and should not be used in modern society. The world community should strive to establish humane punishment methods that align with modern values and ethical principles.
References
Attfield, R. (2022). Applied ethics. John Wiley & Sons.
Altman, M. C. (2023). The Palgrave handbook on the philosophy of punishment. Springer Nature.
Braswell, M. C., Edwards, B. D., McCarthy, B. R., & McCarthy, B. J. (2023). Justice, crime, and ethics. Taylor & Francis.
Pollock, J. M. (2021). Ethical dilemmas and decisions in criminal justice. Cengage Learning.