week5ETHICESSAYANNOTATEDBIBLIOGRAPHYdeathpenalty11.docx

Annotated Bibliography

Annotated Bibliography

RAISSA GUEWOU
CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY
JUN 6, 2021

Ethics give a framework and direction on the things that are considered right as well as equip people with the ability to distinguish between what is right and wrong. Death penalty is the situation that brings up controversies and questions the aspect of ethics. It is also known as capital punishment where the perpetrator is sentenced to death as a conviction given by a court of law due to a criminal offence. Cases such as murder, rape among others can lead to death penalties. Death penalty is conducted in various ways such as lethal injection, electrocution, and the use of gas chambers among others.
 The issue of accepting or denouncing death penalties has been a moral debate for a long time as people view it to be inhuman while others perceive it to be proper method of terminating crime in the society. Those that defend death penalty argue that they have an obligation to maintain the morality in the community as well as to protect the welfare of everyone. Most capital offenders are a threat to safety.
The proposers of death penalty argue that the community should support the practices in to balance evil and good. They strongly regard the death penalty as a benefit to the society as it deters all violent crimes. This is because no one wants to die. Most people fear death and the thought of death as a penalty and a consequence of committing a crime, most people will be unwilling to commit that offence.
 The people that side with death penalty strongly insist that without this penalty, the society puts the life of the innocent at risk and especially for those that may have happened to be victims of the consequences of criminals. Those that propose that a death sentence is morally right also standard ground that the sentence should be to an individual that has committed a profoundly serious crime. Justice therefore is served and ensures equal treatment for everyone. 

On the other hand, some people are against the death penalty as they consider it to be unjust. Life is significant and valuable for everyone. The society should reduce suffering and pain to the offenders and everyone at-large. Justice should result to less intense consequences that will help achieve the same goal as that of death penalty. Such alternatives include rehabilitation for this capital offenders. The death penalty should not be a requirement used to protect the public but instead they should be given life imprisonment. In addition, death penalty may also pose a risk especially to those that are convicted wrongly.
 Furthermore, death penalties affect the society as the value of life is lowered which clearly legitimizes the action of the murder. In addition, some of these judgements are due to religious beliefs that argue only God, the giver of life should take away life. All lives should then be treated equally, and death penalty should not be practiced. They also argue that the actions of a person related to crime are fully based on self-interest. All offenders commit crimes to gain a benefit, and most are ready to face the consequences. 
 Kantian ethics are based on the notion that it is nearly impossible to think of anything in the world that will be considered good without limitation except good will. Kant argues that moral is nearly impossible to define without using permanent standards that help shape human beings such as a government that work within a clear system that must be pragmatic. The flexibility of a system must consider a balance before making an ethical decision.
This is an issue that is out of punishment given for capital offences. The ethical approach offers a philosophical scrutiny that justifies the outcome based on a man’s life. Kant indicates that in situations where a capital offense must be punished ethically. The capital punishment is mainly from state authorities. It is important for the justice system to have ways to protect law-abiding citizens and maintain a balance of fair treatment.

Annotations

Bonnie, R. J. (1990). Medical ethics and the death penalty. The Hastings Center Report, 20(3), 12-18.
Bonnie argues that the most aggravated forms of homicide should be punishable through  “death” which is administered in almost 37 states. Mental health professionals have assisted in this process when the sentences are issued. Some of the mental health professionals that have morally opposed death penalties decline to assist in the process or even conduct forensic assessment of capital offenders. In addition, he also gives his view on assessing condemned prisoners or even attend to those that view themselves as incompetent for execution.
Bonnie argues for the legitimization of morally acceptable social policies and regarding fundamental ethical precepts based on health professionals. He claims that their rights are violated when they are used in a manner that would aid the actions of a state to issue a death sentence to facilitate execution.  They should be considered in to observe the rights of medical professionals as well as encouraging the use of morally upright punishments. The article has been useful as it has raised awareness on the abuse of the right of medical professionals that are forced to facilitate “death penalties” which is an act that should be stopped.

Brudner, A. (1980). Retributivism and the death penalty. The University of Toronto Law Journal, 30(4), 337-355.  
The article gives a reasoned approach towards death penalties as a comprehensive theory of punishment. This theory distinguishes a form of punishment from arbitrary and unjust violence which  rights. the decision pertaining death penalty with reference to the justice system that generates a clear account of “punishment”. The abolition of “death penalty” has been advanced the framework of this theory of punishment. On the other hand, punishment can be expressed as an impulse of ‘self-defense” or even a way of showing sympathy.  In the aim of gaining defence the punishment should be viewed as a moral phenomenon against private revenge which can provide drones for a legitimate infliction of punishment and suffering. Alan aurges that good should be considered and a just policy should be implemented. A punishment should only be acceptable if it gives a return of pleasure that is greater than its cost of pain. I strongly agree with the claims made in the article. The article has raised awareness regarding the stand of this debate where the punishment should give more of pleasure than pain. 

Smith, S. F. (2008). The supreme court and the politics of death. Virginia Law Review, 283-383.
This article discusses the stand of death penalties in different parts of the world. In most parts of the world capital punishments have been abolished such as death penalties. Today most nations no longer have “death penalties”. This article gives a comparative perspective of the continued vitality of death penalty that is administered in the United States that is quite overwhelming. I do not stand my ground on the matter as some crimes are too heinous  to receive a just punishment. the article has brought light to the fact that many countries Steel find death penalty viable,. 
Young, R. L. (1992). Religious orientation, race and support for the death penalty. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 76-87.
This article addresses the view of religious orientation  and raceattitudes towards death penalties. research was done from 1988 that concentrated on fundamentalism, evangelism and devotion which help structure the attitude of “death penalties”. The article discovered that capital punishment values based on race. I strongly denounce racial discrimination and advocate for just punishment. this article has been helpful to bring into light different views based on religion and ethics that affect the attitude of “death penalties”. 
Udoudom, M. D., Bassey, S. A., Okpe, O., & Adie, T. (2019). Kantian and Utilitarian Ethics on Capital Punishment. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute (BIRCI-Journal): Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(2), 28-35.
The Article discusses the indisputable fact that many societies accept that an “offender” of the law should be penalized. However the sense of “punishment” varies among them. death penalty which is also known as capital punishment poses various variations which has led to defend debate. over time many countries have six different functions and options that would substitute death penalties. I agree with the article based on the efforts of countries to find different functions to substitute “death penalties” hence it has been helpful. 

Cited works

Bonnie, R. J. (1990). Medical ethics and the death penalty. The Hastings Center Report, 20(3), 12-18.
Brudner, A. (1980). Retributivism and the death penalty. The University of Toronto Law Journal, 30(4), 337-355.
Smith, S. F. (2008). The supreme court and the politics of death. Virginia Law Review, 283-383.
Young, R. L. (1992). Religious orientation, race and support for the death penalty. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 76-87.
Udoudom, M. D., Bassey, S. A., Okpe, O., & Adie, T. (2019). Kantian and Utilitarian Ethics on Capital Punishment. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute (BIRCI-Journal): Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(2), 28-35.