Capital Punishment

Its Lost Appeal?

Authors

  • Christopher P. Ferbrache Fresno City College

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/eph.v21i2.75

Keywords:

capital punishment, ethics, crime prevention

Abstract

A large proportion of the population thinks that capital punishment is a reasonable method to reduce crime and punish those who have been convicted of a capital crime. I discuss aspects to the philosophy of capital punishment, and analyze factual elements of murder conviction processes, to significantly cast doubt on the pro-capital punishment argument. In order to measure the true value and need for capital punishment, one must analyze pro capital punishment arguments in light of the alternatives. While theories of deterrence, incapacitation and retribution will be reviewed, theories of rehabilitation and restoration will not since they are not applicable to the capital punishment discussion. With increased legal protections, which are a good thing, and rising costs of incarceration, capital punishment is not the greatest good punishment option for capital crime. The remaining options are revising the capital punishment system, an enormous challenge, or suspending it indefinitely.

Author Biography

  • Christopher P. Ferbrache, Fresno City College

    Christopher P. Ferbrache is an adjunct professor of Business Administration at Fresno City College. After his BA in philosophy with a religious emphasis from California State University, Fresno, in 2009 he received his master’s degree in business administration from CSU, Fresno.

References

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Published

2014-05-19

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Ferbrache, C. (2014). Capital Punishment: Its Lost Appeal?. Essays in the Philosophy of Humanism, 21(2), 75-89. https://doi.org/10.1558/eph.v21i2.75