Russ Shafer-Landau provides us with two separate arguments about the death penalty in his academic book The Ethical Life, fundamental readings in ethics and moral problems. In the first argument, Justifying Legal Punishment, Igor Primoratz gives us substantive reasoning that opts favorably toward the necessity of the death penalty. Contrasting Primoratz, Stephen Nathanson, through An Eye for an Eye, provides us with an argument that hopes to show us that capital punishment, like murder, is also immoral and therefore, unjust. By the end of this essay, I intend to show that while capital punishment may not be the easy choice for a consequence and punishment to murder, it is, however, the necessary one.
He wrote many pieces over religion. He also had some over government and he thinks that the government should protect our vices and our life, liberty, and property. Then also that government should be based on the extent of which it accomplishes goals. He also held positions in the government. He was first appointed as the secretary to Committee of Foreign affairs.
To get his point across, he distinguishes the difference between just and unjust laws. Furthermore, he was accused of being an extremist. This disturbed him at first then he reflected on all the extremists throughout history and he saw this description of him not necessarily bad. He noted extremists
Almost all Western thoughts were influenced by him or influenced him himself. Even though he did see people being selfish, his thoughts that were shared had focused on how people in society were able
He believed that civilized and rich men can bring change in society, which will highly valuable for the Progress of the people. He believed that the change could be good or bad, but we should accept this change and stop criticizing the outcomes.
Some of Hobbes’ beliefs were even stated in the Declaration of Independence. For instance, his belief that people should give up their rights that lead toward violence, his wanted a government that would allow people to live in peace, and that the government should prevent violence and
“The penalty of death differs from all other forms of criminal punishment, not in degree but in kind. It is unique in its rejection of rehabilitation of the convict as a basic purpose of criminal justice. And it is unique, finally, in its absolute renunciation of all that is embodied in our concept of humanity.” (Potter
He denounced tyranny. He insisted that when government violates individual rights, people may legitimately rebel” (Powell 2). He believed that the government was created for the people and not just the monarchy and if the government fails it’s up to the people to ‘fix’ it. He influenced many people and philosophers, including Thomas Paine and Thomas
Hobbes believed that natural state of humans was violent and therefore needed order and control to ensure a just and equal society (Robinson 2016, 4). However Hobbes believed that a sovereign could maintain power without deceit and manipulation. Hobbes believed in the social contract which is when people could have a moral understanding about right and wrong to avoid the chaotic violent human nature. Hobbes believed in the idea of utilitarianism which would “maximize the most good and minimize the pain” (Robinson 201, 4). This would ensure that the sovereign was doing things for the right reasons and not to better himself but to better society as a
The Grapes of Wrath The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinback is the story which take place in a time where opportunity is nil and desperation has overtaken American en masse. In the world of the Grapes of Wrath, the story is littered with instances of abuse, hunger, and placing profits and ownership of above fellow man. In the vacuum of opportunity and empathy on the part of captains of industry, common man becomes united in their misery and endeavors in struggling to survive. The Grapes of Wrath is a narrative from the perspective of those who had been deprived of their basic needs for the sake of profits and avarice. Much of the story details instances of callousness, greed, and is essentially a criticism of America’s Industrial revolution
His views were most fully developed in the famous Second Treatise Concerning Civil Government; his views were so radical that he only expressed authorship in his will. He expressed the view that government is morally obliged to serve people, namely by protecting their natural rights of
Death Penalty is a very ominous punishment to discuss. It is probably the most controversial and feared form of punishment in the United States. Many are unaware, but 31 of the 52 states have the Death penalty passes as an acceptable punishment. In the following essay, I will agree and support Stephen Nathanson's statement that "Equality retributivism cannot justify the death penalty. " In the reading, "An Eye for an Eye?", Nathanson gives objections to why equality retributivism is morally acceptable for the death penalty to be legal.
He became a lawyer and took up causes that garnered him favorable recognition for his particular style of drafting documents. His writing style, at times considered too extreme set him apart. He could be viewed as a nonconformist; however he never argued against or produced subjects unknown to the populace. Education taught him the importance of listening and watching, analyzing reactions to a subject.
Immanuel Kant is an influential philosopher, known for his work in ethics and a supporter of the death penalty. According to Avaliani (2004), Kant developed the first scientific approach to capital punishment (Avaliani, 2004). His theory argues that if a crime violates social laws then it is punishable. If an individual commits murder, then their punishment must be death. Avaliani (2004), states that according to Kant 's theory of the death penalty, the court is justified in giving an offender, that has taken innocent life capital punishment.
The secondary literature on Hobbes's moral and political philosophy (not to speak of his entire body of work) is vast, appearing across many disciplines and in many languages. There are two major aspects to Hobbes's picture of human nature. As we have seen, and will explore below, what motivates human beings to act is extremely important to Hobbes. The other aspect concerns human powers of judgment and reasoning, about which Hobbes tends to be extremely skeptical. Like many philosophers before him, Hobbes wants to present a more solid and certain account of human morality than is contained in everyday beliefs.
