Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall Does Capital Punishment Protect Us All? Or is Revenge What We Really Want? : Exposing the Real Debate Behind the Death Penalty

UNCP Author/Contributor (non-UNCP co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Rachel Harbert (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP )
Web Site: http://www.uncp.edu/academics/library
Advisor
Mario Paparozzi

Abstract: Years of division and debate over capital punishment have not brought America any closer to a consensus on the subject. Deterrence and justice are the two most common justifications for capital punishment, but when these defenses are deemed meritless, the only argument left standing is revenge. Proponents supporting the death penalty are failing to be truthful with others and themselves about the real reasons for their support, and the masking arguments prevent the issue from ever being resolved. When proponents acknowledge that the real reason they support the death penalty is that it fulfills the need to get an "eye-for-an-eye" and argue their case solely on those grounds, only then can it be decided if capital punishment should be offered in America.

Additional Information

Publication
Honors Project
Language: English
Date: 2006
Keywords
Capital Punishment, Capital Punishment-United States, Capital Punishment-Moral and Ethical Aspects

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