The Dilemma Of The Death Penalty - 1703 Words

There are many ethical issues that beset our society in this day and age. This paper will discuss the ethological dilemma of the death penalty in the philosophical outlooks of Utilitarianism and Deontology, present arguments in light of both, and proceed to show why Deontology offers the best insights into the justification for the death penalty. The death penalty, also known as â€Å"capital punishment†, is, â€Å"the sentence of execution for murder and some other capital crimes (serious crimes, especially murder, which are punishable by death).† (Death Penalty Law, Law And Legal Definition). The death penalty has existed in America since colonial times; however, attempts to abolish or downsize the death penalty have also been around since the†¦show more content†¦By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure† (Mill 229). In Utilitarianism, a person can be seen as a noble character if they were to sacrifice themselves for others resulting in the greatest possible happiness. Happiness is the only thing desired. Happiness is what all humans aim for as an end result. When applying Utilitarianism to the ethical issue of the death penalty, the answer is never that people should be killed for punishment of a crime, but rather that it sh ould be done to stop further crime. Hypotheticals are made to argue against the death penalty by saying that the person killed could go on to do something great for society. By that same logic, the person could go on to kill hundreds of people. The death penalty is the right of passage to the afterlife from the repercussions of committing a capital punishment, but can the justification of the taking of human life be defined by a Utilitarian approach? A number of people would say that it depends on what a person has done. Others would say that it is never okay to take a human’s life. A Utilitarian would believe that the taking of a life would be justifiable if the outcome increased society’s happiness better than any other possible outcome andShow MoreRelatedDeath Penalty : An Ethical Dilemma1184 Words   |  5 Pages Death Penalty: An Ethical Dilemma Philosophy branch which streamlines, protects and guides the concepts of being correct or incorrect is referred as Ethics. People learn this concept from their parents who got it from their parents and it is a chain. However philosophers claim that it is people’s belief which decide ethics along with human intuition. An individual at singular level conscientiously decides what is right and wrong and define a limit of pushing ethical behaviour and moralityRead MoreThe Ethical Dilemma Of The Death Penalty1814 Words   |  8 PagesThe Ethical Dilemma of the Death Penalty as Viewed From a Utilitarianist and a Deontologist Viewpoint There are many ethical issues that beset our society in this day and age. This paper will discuss the ethological dilemma of the death penalty from the perspective of the philosophical outlooks of Utilitarianism and Deontology, present arguments in light of both, and proceed to show why Deontology offers the best insights into the justification for the death penalty. The death penalty, also knownRead MoreCapital Punishment : An Unnecessary Practice1630 Words   |  7 Pagesthe practice of the death penalty being ancient, capitals crimes have changed over time. Throughout the eras, the abolitionist movement against the capital punishment has been present, presenting arguments about the constitutionality and morality flaws of the death penalty. Indeed, in 1972, the Supreme Court abolished the capital punishment due to inconsistency with the Constitution; nevertheless, the Court authorized it again in 1976, demonstrating how confrontational this dilemma has been (Williams)Read MoreBlack Man Who Was Suspected As The Killer Of A White Off Duty Police Officer Essay1726 Words   |  7 Pagespressured or threatened by the police at the time (Bedau). Troy Davis have come close to execution three times previous to his death because of the doubts that linger of his innocence (Bedau). However, after passage of a federal law in 1996, it became significantly harder for petitioners to get a hearing from judges because they have limited the amount of times they can appeal death sentence (Bedau). When Troy Davis did get a hearing, the judge required Troy to have a â€Å"proof of innocence† – an impossiblyRead MorePublic Policy Issues in Texas831 Words   |  3 Pageslaw-abiding citizens. However, according to Koh (2013), Texas is currently facing one such dilemma. According to Koh, prison reforms may result in better conditions for inmates, but those improvements come at the expense of welfare cash assistance and other government relief for the needy, according to a study released this month by Rice University and Louisiana State University. (Koh, p. 1) This highlights the dilemma of public policy orientation under the thumb of budgetary limits and demonstratesRead MoreCapital Punishment : The Death Penalty1212 Words   |  5 PagesMoney, Complications, Delays, and Innocents: Controversy Against the Death Penalty The government has sanctioned the practice of the death penalty to those who are believed to be deserving of such serious retribution. Capital punishment manages to maintain a large amount of public support; however, it has recently received the label of a dying practice. The decline of executions can be traced back to the high price, complicated procedures, and ongoing trials placed on these cases because of theRead MoreThe Death Penalty Is Justified1491 Words   |  6 Pagestaking place. One prime example is murder. Though people commit murder and acknowledge that the penalty for such act is life in prison, which still doesn’t deter humans from undertaking the act. Death penalty could be a solution to stop humans from committing such gruesome acts. Therefore I strongly believe that the death penalty is acceptable in several cases. Thurgood Marshall states that the death penalty is unconstitutional for two reasons, one that it is excessive. He believes that if the AmericanRead MoreIs The Death Penalty Immoral?1622 Words   |  7 PagesIs the death penalty immoral? In the United States, if a human being commits a capital crime, they can receive the punishment of execution administered by that state in which they performed that crime. When someone commits a capital crime, the jury can issue a guilty verdict that is punishable by death through lethal injection or electrocution. The death penalty is viewed as an extremely controversial topic that is debated daily among individuals. Determining fair punishment for committing a crimeRead MoreThe Case Of Kennedy V. Louisiana976 Words   |  4 Pagesneighborhood. He was convicted sentenced to death 2003. On March 2nd 1988 the victim sustained severe injuries; the injuries required emergency surgery because the rape was so brutal. Louisiana law authorized capital p unishment for the rape of a child twelve years and younger. Mr. Patrick Kennedy challenged his sentence under the eighteen amendments as cruel and unusual punishment. The Louisiana Supreme Court declined the challenged that the death penalty was not too harsh for such a wicked crimeRead MoreThe Punishment Permutation in the Philippines809 Words   |  3 PagesThere is no other way to put into words the dilemma that death penalty poses to the consciousness of individuals than J.R.R. Tolkien’s statement in The Fellowship of the Ring, in which he wrote, â€Å"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them?† This predicament can be pointed out as one of the reasons why death penalty has been suspended and reestablished as the years go by in the Philippines. In the past, death penalty has been implemented during the times of

Breast Cancer And Lung Cancer - 1374 Words

Cancer has been taking the lives of many for years now. Even though cancer has affected people for centuries, we have yet to find a cure for the disease, but we are now able to identify the different forms of cancer such as breast cancer and lung cancer. With scientific innovations, the medical field has been able to make advances in treatments. With all the new advancements, it is clear how much new information has been exposed. Exposing such information permits the public to become more knowledgeable in what illnesses surround them. Although medicine and precautionary measures to keeping one healthy has become significantly more effective, is everyone still truly safe from possibly getting lung cancer? Lung cancer is†... the cause of†¦show more content†¦Lung cancer takes the lives of many at a young age and the cause isn’t always clear as of how this disease was contracted. The most popular idea of what causes lung cancer since early times has been using toba cco. Tobacco contains nicotine which is a highly addictive drug that gives a temporary feeling of relaxation. When people get addicted to nicotine, it becomes incredibly difficult for the victims to stop smoking. According to Brody, Lung cancer has been shown to take the lives of more people compared to any other form of cancer and this is the case since lung cancer is associated with life style. New information regarding lung cancer has shown that about one-fourth of those victims who are diagnosed didn’t obtain it through first hand smoking. People can obtain this illness through an â€Å"unlucky† combination of genetics (Brody). It was one thought that lung cancer was strictly caused by lifestyle choices, but over the past years, it has been shown that lifestyle isn’t the thing that can potentially allow one to contract lung cancer. The environment along with tobacco use and genetics can also play a role in contracting lung cancer. In an industrial world, pol lution has been a reoccurring problem. With emissions from vehicles and industrial power plants, air pollution and/or smog has been hovering over us. In places like China who are thriving in the industrial world, are being greatly affected by air pollution. According to Brody, â€Å"In Asia, lung cancer is alarmingly

Save Our Planet Free Essays

Numerous environmental concerns impact our planet on a global level. Our mother earth is the only planet in the solar system known to sustain life forms of all kinds and we the intellectual sophisticated beings with opposing thumbs were chosen to rule over her. It is evident today that we have managed to begin to deplete the vast natural resources she has provided to us. We will write a custom essay sample on Save Our Planet or any similar topic only for you Order Now Gross misuse, greed, and carelessness have all contributed to this situation. Ensuring the survival of our species and our planet requires that we realize globally our moral and ethical obligations to protect our planet. The first issue that we must look at is the fact that we are overpopulating our planet and this has serious repercussions. Repercussions such as limited resources like food and water due to overuse and overpopulation. For instance, in the days of Lewis and Clark one was able to dispose of waste in the waters and good old mother earth would filter the waste naturally. Now however, due to overpopulation the earth is no longer able to naturally filter the waste we are asking her to filter. The rational person realizes that if there are not enough resources to support the current population we must curtail and change this behavior. We live on a planet with a limited amount of space and resources. Thus one would naturally conclude, eventually you will run out of both. We cannot ethically put restrictions on pro-creating and there are no easy answers in this arena. However, in light of today’s technology explosion some considerations that come to mind are providing global education in population management and removing the option of children born to people who are drug addicts, alcoholics, and who have psychological disorders like insanity. Removing the right of such people to procreate and education will not be the ultimate solution but will undoubtedly produce a more responsible society. Since this is not an option currently, we are left to ponder how can this most essential matter be addressed seriously without judgment to sustain our natural order for survival? We must look at what we are doing to our planet and take responsible action as a species to at least reduce the overuse of land and pollution we are causing. A variety of pollutants are affecting our planet. We see pollutants everywhere. To name just a few, there is garbage on the streets, in rivers and oceans. The less obvious pollutants to the human eye are burning coal and fuel. It is said that burning coal and fuel can increase the level of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. We the intellectual human species have done this massive but reversible damage to our planet that threatens to endanger the possibility of survival for every species in the world. To begin with, our oceans and rivers have been polluted with toxic waste, garbage, medical waste, plastics, and even large oil spills. Toxic waste, garbage, medical waste, and oil spills cause destruction to marine and wildlife by infecting them with PCB’s, mercury, and diseases from medical and toxic waste. Toxic waste gets into our oceans and rivers from leaking landfills, dumps, mines and farms. It is then digested by the organisms in the ocean and rivers which are then eaten by other larger animals in the food chain. This affects the human population by infecting and contaminating the food source within the waters and possibly eventually ending up on dinner tables around the world. Consuming contaminated food can cause diseases that can spread throughout the world. Some of the diseases that can be spread by a polluted ocean and polluted sea life to humans are hepatitis, HIV, aids, and viruses such as pneumonia. If seals and dolphins are washing up dead on beaches, what then could happen to the human population? According to the website www. library. thinkquest. org Ocean Pollution, lead and other toxic waste can cause birth defects, low IQ, slow growth and hearing problems for small children (School, 2002). Isn’t it then the human species responsibility to restrict this kind of pollution? Plastics on the other hand do not contaminate our food sources, plastics simply kill them. For instance in Australia a veterinarian tried to save a baby whale that was sick. The baby whale did not survive. The veterinarian performed an autopsy on the baby whale and found a plastic bag of corn, a plastic bait bag, and some heavy pieces of plastic sheeting that were blocking the bowels of the baby whale (Brower, 1989). Killing animals is not the only problem with plastics; there are numerous others that require mention as well. For one thing plastic is considered a non-degradable substance. To be more precise, it can take centuries to decompose. So where does all of the plastic waste go? In landfills, the ocean, and to some extent it is recycled and reused. Recycling and reusing are good measures for managing the plastic waste that is filling our planet. However, it requires the human species as a whole to be involved and committed to the general idea of recycling and reusing. Some measures that have been taken are using biodegradable bags instead of plastic bags, melting down the plastics and using them in different applications. For example, they can make things like combs, fencing, and trash cans out of the number 2 plastics. Continuing to find ways to moderate the abuse of products such as plastics is an important endeavor we must strive to perfect. Using new technologies and working globally as a species is one way in which we will be able to bring about positive change and aid in the recuperation of our environment. Another issue of concern is air pollution. Air pollution damages the ozone and causes acid rain. Acid rain is caused by smoke and gases that come from factories and cars that run on fossil fuels (Acid Rain, 2000). According to the U. S. nvironmental agency acid rain causes stunted growth in forests and the leaves to turn yellow and even fall off of trees completely in some cases. In some cases trees have died out completely with no apparent cause other than acid rain (Effects of acid rain, 2007). Acid rain also erodes the paint on our vehicles. Erosion of the paint on our vehicles is an obvio us form of tangible evidence that acid rain is harmful to our environment and our species. Worse, imagine what damage it causes to our soil, plants, and water. If it erodes the paint on our cars, what erosion then is happening in our bodies that consume the food grown in the soil? Damage to the ozone can contribute to global warming and can bring about change in what is known as the greenhouse gas effect (Global Warming). The greenhouse gas effect is a natural process that regulates the earth’s temperature. â€Å"The sun heats the earth and some of this heat is trapped in the atmosphere by clouds and greenhouse gases, such as water vapor and carbon dioxide† (Global Warming). The disappearance of greenhouse gases would cause our planet to be 60 degrees cooler than it is and would no longer be able to sustain life (Global Warming). As the suns energy passes through the earth’s atmosphere it is reflected or sent back to space with the help of clouds and other atmospheric particles. Clouds, gases (ozone), and atmospheric particles absorb some energy. The remaining energy is then reflected back to space. â€Å"On average 51% of the suns radiation reaches the surface of the earth† (Pidwirny, 2009). This energy is used to heat the ground, melt ice, and snow, and to evaporate water and in photosynthesis of plants. The heated debate about global warming continues to carry on. For instance, I was in Mt. Rushmore with my family on vacation and we took a trip up to the monument. We were surprised to see a person on top of President Lincoln’s head. We asked the Park ranger if that was normal she indicated that at that moment we were in the most secure monument in the nation. They were on high alert because a group of green peace protestors had decided to hang a global warming sign right next to President Lincolns head. We asked what the penalties for such an act was and she indicated that it was a federal offense and the activists would definitely receive a huge monetary fine and serve some prison time. I wondered if in the end that type of protest was worth the penalties the green peace group will pay. Ethically and morally speaking the green peace group broke the law. The point the green peace group was trying to make could have been made just as easily if the group would have held the sign up at the main entrance. On the other side of the debate of global warming it is said that our planet undergoes cyclical changes and there is scientific evidence indicating as such dating back 3. 3 to 3 million years ago in what was known as the mid-pliocene period (Anonymous, 2008). Fossils that were examined by scientists indicated that the planet was 4. 5 F degrees warmer than today. That begs an answer to the question is pollution really the only culprit for global warming? That being said, the human species has the responsibility to make every attempt to try and preserve our planet. Addressing these issues is of utmost importance. The consequences of leaving them unaddressed could be severe for generations to come. We must come to the collective conclusion that as a collective whole we are the dominant species and it is up to us to preserve and protect our planet. This is where moral and ethical considerations must be made in order to understand what we are doing to destroy our planet. By understanding how we are destroying our planet we can make ethical and moral considerations to help preserve our planet. In doing so, we can help to ensure our existence and the survival of our species as well as all other species on the planet. The basic view throughout history has been anthropocentric or human centeredness (Environmental Ethics, 2008). This position in its simplest form deems all things revolve around the use of the human species. Therefore, we are encouraged to take care of our environment for our continued survival and use. In order to continue to survive and thrive in the manner we are accustomed to, we require many of the things that are said to be polluting the environment. For example, technology used in our day to day lives such as cell phones, computers, household appliances, and televisions have components such as plastics and batteries that are not biodegradable, recyclable, or environmentally friendly. Though many environmentalists do not like to admit it, we require many of these things to survive in today’s day and age. Thus different ideas need to be shared in order for our species to evolve in a less destructive manner. Can we do things differently to clean up our planet? The answer is yes. It is not the job of large corporations or the government to clean up our collective mess. It is the human species job as a whole to do what is right in order to ensure our species survival. Starting small individually will help promote a consciousness regarding our current situation. If we as a people decide to clean up our act on a small level then corporations and big business will follow suit. Change cannot happen overnight. Many of the problems we face relate to the economics of our society. Change has to happen slowly in order to ensure the survival of our species. For example, we are accustomed to driving our cars whenever we need to. Cars use gas, and gas pollutes the environment so we need cleaner cars. Producing clean cars costs an enormous amount of money to the current manufacturers because they are not tooled to do such a thing. Therefore, there is a death required within the old manufacturers and old ideas in order for a rebirth to commence and bring about positive responsible change. Our ethical obligation is to ourselves, the human race. By ensuring our survival as a species we ensure the survival of the rest of the planet. As Aristotle maintained â€Å"nature has made all things specifically for the sake of man† (Environmental Ethics, 2007). With this quote in mind it is imperative that we act upon the things we can change and move in a direction that ensures the survival of our planet. After all we were given the intellect and a strong sense to survive. In conclusion, it is not too late to address these issues ethically. New ways of thinking need to be established regarding our ethical and moral obligations to our planet. As professor Alasdair states â€Å"ethicists need not only respond to those they criticize for failure but to issue alternative means to figuring out the problems we face. † New ideas and solutions to old problems will bring about change. We the human species have the capacity to learn from our mistakes and correct them. In the end it is about survival of the fittest and I believe the human race is all about survival. How to cite Save Our Planet, Papers

The Theme Of Carelessness In The Great free essay sample

Gatsby Essay, Research Paper The Theme of Carelessness in The Great Gatsby The thought of sloppiness dramas an of import function in The Great Gatsby. Daisy, Tom, Jordan, Gatsby and Nick were all careless at some points throughout the book. Daisy and Tom were careless about their relationship, their money, and many of their day-to-day activities. Gatsby was besides unconcerned with his money. Jordan was blas? about the manner she treated other people. # 8220 ; They were careless people, Tom and Daisy # 8211 ; they smashed up things and animals and so retreated back to their money or their huge sloppiness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and allow other people clean up the muss they had made. . . . # 8221 ; ( 189 ) This was an accurate description of the manner Tom and Daisy acted. They were invariably inattentive of the manner they behaved and when they realized they were incorrect, they would withdraw back to their money. We will write a custom essay sample on The Theme Of Carelessness In The Great or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It was ever other people that had to pay for Tom and Daisy # 8217 ; s careless errors. Daisy besides admitted that she was careless in a duologue with Nick. # 8220 ; I am careful. # 8221 ; # 8220 ; No, you # 8217 ; re non # 8221 ; # 8220 ; Well, other people are, # 8221 ; she said lightly. # 8220 ; What # 8217 ; s that got to make with it? # 8221 ; # 8220 ; They # 8217 ; ll maintain out of my manner, # 8221 ; she insisted. # 8220 ; It takes two to do an accident. # 8221 ; # 8220 ; Suppose you meet somebody merely every bit careless as yourself. # 8221 ; # 8220 ; I hope I neer will, # 8221 ; she answered. # 8220 ; I hate careless people. # 8221 ; ( 63 ) She rapidly responded to Nick that she doesn # 8217 ; t need to be careful. Daisy implied that it is the other individual # 8217 ; s duty to be aware of her. She besides said that she hates careless people right after she admitted that she was careless. Daisy was apathetic about her relationship with Tom. She knew that her hubby was holding an matter with another adult females but Daisy did non make anything about it. Tom was careless in a much more obvious manner. He was barbarous every bit good as destructive. Tom felt that he could make anything he wanted and acquire off with it. He would neer acknowledge that he was dispassionate because he was narcissistic. Tom was careless in his relationship with Daisy, his married woman, and Myrtle Wilson, his lover. He allowed Gatsby to win his married woman # 8217 ; s love. After Gatsby and Daisy fell in love once more, all Tom could make was take his married woman back and leave town for a twosome of yearss. Tom was besides unconcerned with his lover, Myrtle. He let his married woman, his friends, and even Myrtle # 8217 ; s hubby know that they were holding an matter. Obviously, Tom did non desire everyone to cognize what he had been making, but his careless actions revealed the truth. Gatsby was a spend-all with his money. He spent 1000s of dollars on parties, his house, and all of his ownerships merely to affect his lover, Daisy. In other ways, Gatsby was excessively careful. When Daisy killed Myrtle Wilson with his auto, he took great safeguards about the state of affairs. He told Nick, # 8220 ; I got to West Egg by a side route, # 8221 ; he went on, # 8220 ; and left the auto in my garage. I don # 8217 ; t believe anybody saw me but of class I can # 8217 ; t be sure. # 8221 ; ( 151 ) Jordan was careless during a golf tourney. She won the lucifer by kicking the ball into the hole when no 1 was looking. She was mindless because many people were watching her while she cheated. After this incident she was known as a deceiver. Meyer Wolfshiem, in comparing, was really careful. He tried to remain off from decease and things that could do problem. He one time told Nick after the decease of Gatsby, # 8220 ; I can # 8217 ; t make it # 8211 ; I can # 8217 ; t acquire assorted up in it. # 8221 ; ( 180 ) He besides commented, # 8220 ; When a adult male gets killed I neer like to acquire assorted up in it in any manner. . . . # 8221 ; ( 180 ) The subject of sloppiness in The Great Gatsby was really definite. Each individual displayed features that were either careless or mindful. The sloppiness of the characters by and large affected them in a negative manner. They were careless about their relationship, their money, and many of the activities they did every twenty-four hours. These personality traits were about impossible to alter. The careless actions of many of the characters in The Great Gatsby affected their lives and those around them.