Good Example Of What Are The Major Arguments For And Against Capital Punishment, And What Is Your Essay

Capital punishment is one of the oldest forms of punishment, the roots of which can be found in various social phenomena, including the law of retaliation (lex talionis) – "an eye for an eye." In many ancient societies, such principle seemed fair: money for money, a destroyed house for a destroyed house, murder for murder and so on. After a while, capital punishment was replaced by a fine, corporal punishment, imprisonment, etc. However, many countries still allow the death penalty. This situation raises a natural question – should there be the death penalty or should we get rid of it as an inhumane holdover of past eras?
Let us consider the first point of view. Firstly, its adherents state that the death penalty is the best preventive remedy against crimes. For instance, in this regard China is considered to be the least corrupt country in the world. There are many criminological articles that confirm such thought. Secondly – the above-mentioned law of retaliation: it is believed that only murder of a murderer can give a victim’s relatives a feeling of revenge and justice. Otherwise, the following question arises in their enraged minds: how such "beast" may remain alive after such a terrible crime? Thirdly, it is said that capital punishment is not as cruel as one might think, that it can be humane: fast shooting straight in a heart, lethal injections, etc.
The second point of view advocates the abolition of the death penalty. Its main argument brings us a paradox: the death penalty does not teach anybody anything and does not reduce the number of crimes. Why does it contrast with what has been said before? The reason is that different studies give different results. In addition, both supporters and opponents often choose only local research papers that fit their beliefs. Secondly, the death penalty may be used for political purposes, to remove competitors. It is not a difficult thing to frame a person or bribe a judge. In addition, even a fair trial can be a mistake, the cost of which may be life. Finally, the same issue of humanity. Supporters of the abolition of capital punishment do not consider even lethal injections to be humane, because why do we think then that we are better than the murderers are? The fact that the process of killing is a pleasure for them and a work for us does not seem a good argument.
I would personally say that the death penalty should be banned, as violence begets violence. In today's world, there are better ways to stop crimes and rehabilitate the criminals. I strongly believe, eventually there will be methods and techniques, including pharmacological, the effectiveness of which will exceed all existing methods of punishment. In the meantime, while they are being developed, we must consider the following: a significant portion of murders takes place at the household level. Such crimes are committed accidentally, which is called "involuntary manslaughter." That is, in one way or another, people who committed these murders are not cold-blooded maniacs. What will capital punishment give us in such case, the feeling of revenge? Yes. Nevertheless, there are no practical benefits for the society. The disadvantages of the death penalty exceed its advantages.