Arguments for the Death Penalty
Justice is defined as the process or result of using laws to fairly judge and punish crimes and criminals (merriam-webster.com). There are varying forms of justice throughout the world; however, the most severe remains to be capital punishment, otherwise known as the death penalty. There is a definite divide of arguments both for advocating the death penalty and for abolishing it. The essay "A Death in Texas" written by Steve Earle strongly portrays the belief that the death penalty is not a suitable punishment by suggesting that criminals can be rehabilitated and thus should no longer pertain to them. Despite this, it is a personal belief that the death penalty should not be abolished due to the extensive history surrounding it and how it affects today 's world, the idea that the severity of the punishment should fit the severity of the crime, and that life without parole is not as adequate as capital punishment.
Firstly, it is important to review the history of the death penalty and how it has become a fundamental discussion in today 's world. Dating back to 18th Century BC Babylon, the first record of capital punishment began with King Hammaraubi. Throughout history there have been several forms of execution – the popular choices during the time included hanging, crucifixion and beheading. Crimes befitting such punishment varied as well, …show more content…
The reasons for this are that there is a history and a purpose behind the death penalty, the crime should fit the punishment, and life without parole isn 't as effective as capital punishment. There are two sides to every argument and it 's equally as purposeful to argue against the death penalty however, if we are to simply put men behind bars to serve justice the criminal justice system would no longer have the iron vice of the death penalty. As history has taught us, even through changing times, it will prevail in some form
Justice is defined as the process or result of using laws to fairly judge and punish crimes and criminals (merriam-webster.com). There are varying forms of justice throughout the world; however, the most severe remains to be capital punishment, otherwise known as the death penalty. There is a definite divide of arguments both for advocating the death penalty and for abolishing it. The essay "A Death in Texas" written by Steve Earle strongly portrays the belief that the death penalty is not a suitable punishment by suggesting that criminals can be rehabilitated and thus should no longer pertain to them. Despite this, it is a personal belief that the death penalty should not be abolished due to the extensive history surrounding it and how it affects today 's world, the idea that the severity of the punishment should fit the severity of the crime, and that life without parole is not as adequate as capital punishment.
Firstly, it is important to review the history of the death penalty and how it has become a fundamental discussion in today 's world. Dating back to 18th Century BC Babylon, the first record of capital punishment began with King Hammaraubi. Throughout history there have been several forms of execution – the popular choices during the time included hanging, crucifixion and beheading. Crimes befitting such punishment varied as well, …show more content…
The reasons for this are that there is a history and a purpose behind the death penalty, the crime should fit the punishment, and life without parole isn 't as effective as capital punishment. There are two sides to every argument and it 's equally as purposeful to argue against the death penalty however, if we are to simply put men behind bars to serve justice the criminal justice system would no longer have the iron vice of the death penalty. As history has taught us, even through changing times, it will prevail in some form