The Death Penalty - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 10 Words: 3062 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Law Essay Type Research paper Tags: Death Penalty Essay Did you like this example? THE DEATH PENALTY Abstract The article focuses on the law of death penalty which was established in the seventh B.C. the death penalty included the laws for such actions or deed committed by people who commit a sin or an action is regarded as unlawful. In this article, Death Penalty has been discussed with its history in the nineteenth and twentieth century. The article also discusses various standpoints keeping in view the different religions, such as, Islam and Christianity. Furthermore, the human rights and death penalty are related that how the punishment affects the rights of people and what are the opinions of people regarding the death penalty. Another important aspect regarding the society is discussed that what is the effect of death penalty on the society? Has it reduced the crime rate or not? Introduction Death penalty is known as capital punishment, executed by the law governing body of a state. It is executed where a serious crime is commi tted, for example, murder, rape, or any other form of serious crimes. Around one third of the countries allow death penalty. Such countries include China, Iran and United States, where the death penalties are executed on a large scale. Still, there are many countries who do not allow death penalty as a solution for a crime. These countries are Canada, Australia and Mexico who have abolished the rule about death penalty. However, many other countries have different strategies and policies which they implement for the death penalty on people even with some less serious crimes of drug business, robbery, and others. Early Centuries (B.C and A.D) First time in the history, the death penalty law was established in Eighteenth century B.C for 25 different types of crimes. In fact it does not start from Eighteenth century, as death penalty was also a part of the Fourteenth Century B.C, Even if history is viewed a little bit back then in the Seventh Century B.C there were laws for the c rimes. According to those laws, death was the only punishment for all the crimes. In the fifteenth Century punishment for the crimes was also death or to use such ways to punish that leads to the death of the criminal. In the Tenth Era A.D., hanging became the regular method of execution in UK. Within the following century, William the master wouldnt permit people to be hanged or otherwise dead for any misconduct, excluding in eras of war. Some common strategies of execution at that point were steaming, fiery at the stake, hanging, decapitation, and depiction and dividing. Implementations were administered for such capital evil doing as wedding a Jew, not admitting to a criminal crime, and disloyalty. The number of center corruptions in UK continued to rise throughout subsequent two eras. By the 1700s, 222 misconducts were indictable by death in UK, together with stealing, thinning out a tree, and robbing a rabbit warren. Due to the severity of the execution, several juries wo uldnt convict defendants if the offense wasnt serious. This resulted in reforms of Britains execution. From 1823 to 1837, the execution was eliminated for over a hundred of the 222 crimes punishable by death (Randa, 1997). Nineteenth Century In the early Nineteenth Century, the Eradicator movement gained speed in the northeast. Many countries condensed the number of their law-breaking activities. In 1834, Pennsylvania turns out to be the first state to move implementations away from the public perceptiveness and booming them out in correctional conveniences. In mid-Eighties, Michigan became the primary state to get rid of the corporal punishment for all corruptions except disloyalty. Later, Rhode Island and Wisconsin eliminated the corporal punishment for all crimes. By the beginning of the century, the globe would see the countries of Republic of Venezuela, Portugal, Holland, Costa Rica, Brazil and South American nation imitate Rhode Island and Wisconsin (Bohm, 1999 and Sc habas, 1997). Even though U.S. originated eradicating the corporal punishment, most states control onto death penalty. Some states created additional crimes capital offenses, particularly for offenses committed by slaves. In 1838, in a shot to form the corporal punishment additional edible to the general public, some states began passing laws against obligatory death sentencing instead enacting discretionary corporal penalty statutes. The 1838 enactment of discretionary corporal penalty statutes in Tennessee, and far ahead in Alabama, were perceived as an outstanding reform. This introduction of sentencing discretion within the capital method was perceived as a conclusion for abolitionists as a result of before the enactment of those statutes; all states mandated the corporal punishment for anyone guilty of a capital crime, in spite of circumstances. With the exception of a little range of seldom committed crimes during a few jurisdictions, all obligatory death penalty regulation s had been eradicated by 1963. (Bohm, 1999) All through the warfare, opposition to the corporal punishment waned, as supplementary devotion was given to the anti-slavery association. The concept of electric chair was familiarized at the top of the century. The primary instrument of execution was engineered in 1888, and in 1890 William Kemmler was the first to be killed by this instrument. Soon, different states adopted this execution technique (Randa, 1997). Although some states abolished the corporal punishment within the mid-nineteenth century, it took place in the middle of the twentieth century that marked the start of the Progressive Period of reform within the U.S. From 1907 to 1917, six states utterly illicit the corporal punishment and three restricted it to the seldom committed crimes of treason and degree murder of an enforcement official. However, this reform was transient. There was a fervent atmosphere within the U.S., as voters began to panic regarding the threat of revolution within the wake of the Russian Revolution. Additionally, the U.S. had simply entered the World War I and there have been intense category conflicts as socialists mounted the primary serious challenge to laissez-faire economy. As a result, five of the six crusader states reinstated their corporal punishment by 1920. (Bedau, 1997 and Bohm, 1999) In 1924, the utilization of cyanide gas was introduced, as Silver State wanted an additional humane manner of capital punishment its inmates. Gee Jon was the primary person dead by fatal experience. The municipal strained to thrust cyanide gas into Jons cell whereas he slept, however this well-tried not possible, and therefore the instrument of execution was created. (Bohm, 1999) From the Twenties to the Forties, there was a restoration within the use of the corporal punishment. This owed, in part, to the literatures of criminologists; United Nations agency argued that the corporal punishment was a necessary social life. W ithin the U.S., Americans were suffering through prohibition and therefore the slump. There have been additional executions within the Thirties than in the other decade in Yankee history, a median of 167 per annum. (Bohm, 1999 and Schabas, 1997) In the Nineteen Fifties, public sentiment began to show far from death penalty. Several allied nations either abolished or restricted the corporal punishment, and within the U.S., the quantity of executions born dramatically. Whereas there have been one,289 executions within the Forties, there have been 715 within the Nineteen Fifties, and therefore the range fell even more, to solely 191, from 1960 to 1976. In 1966, support for death penalty reached Associate in nursing the bottom. Religionsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ Standpoints: Christianity Old Evidence Law agreed the death penalty for a wide list of corruptions that includes Slaughter (Exodus 21:12-14;Leviticus 24:17,21), Attacking or cursing a parent (Exodus 21:15,17), Disobedience to parents (Deuteronomy 21:18-21), Kidnapping (Exodus 21:16), Failure to confine a dangerous animal, resulting in death (Exodus 21:28-29), Witchcraft and sorcery (Exodus 22:18,Leviticus 20:27,Deuteronomy 13:5,1Samuel 28:9), Human sacrifice (Leviticus 20:2-5), Sex with an animal (Exodus 22:19,Leviticus 20:16), Doing work on the Sabbath (Exodus 31:14,35:2,Numbers 15:32-36), Incest (Leviticus 18:6-18,20:11-12,14,17,19-21), Adultery (Leviticus 20:10;Deuteronomy 22:22), Homosexual acts (Leviticus 20:13), Prostitution by a priests daughter (Leviticus 21:9), Blasphemy (Leviticus 24:14,16,23), False prophecy (Deuteronomy 18:20), Perjury in capital cases (Deuteronomy 19:16-19), Rejecting to follow a decision of a judge or minister (Deuteronomy 17:12), Fabricated privilege of a womans virginity at time of matrimonial (Deuteronomy 22:13-21), Sex between a woman vowed to be wedded and a man other than her engaged (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). Christians have faith that any discrete has to suffer the concerns of their activities but no one has the right to take another human life nevertheless of the crime committed. They believe it is God who gives life so he should be the one to take it. Religionsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ Standpoints: Islam If anyone kills someone unless its for murder or for spreading mischief within the land it might be as if he killed all individuals. And if anyone saves a life, it might be as if he saved the lifetime in all inhabitants (Kuran 5:32). Existence is holy, in keeping with Islam and most alternative world faiths. However will one hold life sacred, however at rest prop up execution? The Kuran answers, catch not live that God has created sacred, except by manner of justice and law. So will he command you, in order that youll learn wisdom (6:151).The Quran legislate the capital punishment for murder, though forgiveness and compassion are powerfully inspired. The murder victims family is given an option to either implement the capital punishment, or to pardon the wrongdoer and settle for financial compensation for his or her loss (2:178). The second crime that execution may be applied may be a bit a lot of receptive interpretation. Spreading mischief within the land will mean many alternative things, however is mostly taken to mean those crimes that have an effect on the community as an entire, amd undermine the civilization. Crimmes that contain the underneath this description include: i.sedition ii.violence iii.piracy iv.Rape v.infidelity vi.Homosexual actions (Erik C. Owens) Actual strategies of execution vary from place to position. In some Muslim countries, strategies have enclosed beheading, hanging, and stoning. Executions are command in public, to function warnings to would-be criminals. The executing has been illicit in a very majority of the worlds nations, however continues to be used wide within the geographical region. One of the most reasons for the employment of execution during this r egion is that its clearly permissible by the sacred writing, the Muslim holy text. As such, most nations that think about Islam to be the state of faith (including UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and others) and every one Muslim states (including Asian country, Bahrain, Brunei, Iran, Mauritania, Oman, Pakistan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Yemen) allow and infrequently encourage the employment of the executing (Huda). Several verses within the holy book support the employment of execution once used as a lawful suggests that of seeking justice. For instance, a favorite quote within the sacred writing relating to the executing states,Take not life, that God has created sacred, except by approach of justice and law. So will He command you, so you will learn wisdom (6:151). Basically, this suggests that though murder is taken into account a sin, its permissible to utilize execution once needed by law. Muslims UN agency support the executing believes that its use provides an efficient dete rrent against crime and in and of itself helps to push justice. Jurisprudence permits the employment of the social control corporal punishment as a penalty against deliberate killing and terrorist acts, that interprets to spreading mischief throughout the land. this kind of crime is understood in a very style of ways that, however will embody rape, adultery, treason, apostasy, piracy, anal intercourse and homosexual behavior (Banner, 2009). Although execution remains wide supported in Muslim states and nations within which Islam is that the state faith, there are growing teams of Muslims that support the ending of the executing. People who oppose execution ail the thought interpretation of sacred writing passages relating to execution. It is vital to notice that theres no place for law enforcement in Islam one should be properly guilty in a Islamec courtyard of law before of the penalization will be allotted. The severity of the penalization needs that terribly strict proof s tandards should meet by a confidence is found. The courtyard conjointly has flexibility to order but the final word penalization (for example, imposing fines or jail sentences), on a individual basis. Human Rights The worldwide person rights norm and legal dialogue on civil rights in these luggage is understood and explained by scrutiny the up to date practices to the medieval IUS commune. The trendy IUS commune of human rights has 3 distinct characteristics that it shares with the historical example to that its analogized: its broadly speaking international in scope and application; its grounded in sure universal principles that area unit assumed to own have society and sopra optimistic soundness (in the folder of person civil rights, the concept of human dignity); and it neither trumps native law neither is essentially subordinate to that, however rather exists in a very dependent relationship with it. The article concludes with a suggestion to analyze the manner during whic h the US Supreme Court has begun to have interaction overseas jurisprudence, as a result of this sympathetic of the original commune of human rights (Carozza, 2003). Methods of Execution Using a panel of state-level knowledge over the years 1978à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å"2000, this text examines whether or not the tactic by that capital punishment states demeanor their death penalty affect the percapita occurrence of kill in an exceedingly differential manner. Many measures of the subjective chance of being dead or developed are taking into consideration for the temporal order of individual executions. The empirical estimates recommend that the deterrent result of corporal sentence is ambitious mainly by execution conduct by electrocutions. Not any of the opposite four strategies of execution (lethal injection, tool of kill aspheyxiations, hang or fir on group) are found to possess a statistically very important force on the apiece capita occurrence of kill. These domino result or stur dy with reference to the style within which the subjective chances of being dead or outlined, whether or not or not a state features a capital punishment rule in the book the taking away of condition and time mounted effects, controls for state-specific time trends, coincident management of all execution strategies, and controls for different styles of public deterrence. Additionally, its shown that the negative and statistically vital impact of electrocutions isnt driven by the prevalence of a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“botchedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  electrocution throughout the relevant period of time (Stearman, 2007). Applied Unfairly In the states there must be equal laws for public. But the problem arises when there is injustice and unfair application of the laws on the public. It causes increase in the crime rate that leads to the death penalty indirectly. Even there must be equal implication of the laws on the criminals. They must be bound to complete their punishment without any special favor. Supporter of the Death Penalty Supporters of the death penalty say that it is important for the true society. It helps to make things right. Because it gives lessons to others who are thinking about the crimes that spoils the society and damages the people of the society. It is the order of the Lord to punish the criminal according to his punishment. So in those countries where there are prompt decisions taken about the crimes of people is less involved in the dangerous crimes as compare to those who did not punish criminals according to their criminal activities. For the peace and justice it is necessary to justify the things. Against the Death Penalty Support for the execution has fluctuated throughout the century. In line with town surveys, in 1936 sixty one of USA citizens favored the execution for persons condemned of murder. Support reached to the lower of forty second in 1966. Throughout the 70s and 80s, the proportion of USA citizens in favor of the execut ion accumulated steady, culminating in AN eightieth approval rating in 1994. A might 2004 town Poll found that a growing range of USA citizens support a sentence of life while not parole instead of the execution for those condemned of murder. Town found that forty sixth of respondents favor imprisonment over the execution, up from four hundred and forty yards in 2003. Throughout that very same timeframe, support for executing as an alternate fell from fifty three to five hundredth. The poll additionally unconcealed a growing skepticism that the execution deters crime, with sixty two of these polled speech that its not a deterrent. These percentages square measure a theatrical move from the response set to the present same question in 1991, once fifty one of USA citizens believed the execution deterred crime and solely forty first believed it didnt. Solely fifty fifth of these polled responded that they believed the execution is enforced fairly, down from hour in 2003. Once not of fered an alternate sentence, seventy one supported the execution and twenty sixth opposed. The general hold up is regarding a parallel that according in 2002, but downward from the 18th hold in 1994. (Gillep Polle New Service, June 3, 2005). Reduce/Increase Crimes Rate and the Sense of Injustice Death penalty helps in decreasing the criminal activities due to which crime rate goes downward. But most of the public is against such death penalty. The opinion of the public about the death penalty is changing now days. From 19 century to onward voting rate of the public about the death penalty is in decreasing trend. They do not want to punish the criminals in such a way. Also, when public will see that criminals are not being punished by the government of that country or state, it will of course create an atmosphere of injustice among people. Conclusion Death penalty is the punishment given to law offenders who do not follow the laws and commit such crimes which include murd ers, rape, and robberies including other unlawful acts. The death penalty has been in the laws of many countries in the world and has been working in order to reduce the crime rate but with due respect of the human rights and other social aspects, death penalty has been condemned heavily by the people of various countries. There have been many social issues related to the death penalty and some of them include fear among the people who witness the execution. Other social issues include injustice which is felt by many people when they do not see that death penalty is given to the offender who has hurt them or destroyed their lives or damaged their sovereignty. However, with many appraisal from the people, death penalty is also considered as cruelty for which it is been removed from the laws of many countries. Don’t waste time! 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The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living - 1978 Words

â€Å"The unexamined life is not worth living.† Socrates, the great Greek philosopher, has never spoken truer words. The unexamined life is a recurring theme in both Plato’s The Allegory of the Cave and Richard Wright’s The Library Card. There are many ways to achieve enlightenment, for example, going out and obtaining information, through individualism, learning from mistakes, becoming an intellectual reader, or contemplation. Enlightenment was important to both Plato and Richard Wright. Plato believed that most of civilization lives in deep ignorance, and are in terribly deplorable conditions as a result. Richard Wright’s insatiable hunger for knowledge and enlightenment sets him apart from those around him, which drives the wedge created by their differences further between them. Nevertheless, it gives Wright’s life meaning and direction. This sensation furthers his existing curiosity, helping Wright to realize his love of literature. Having enlightenment is the process where one becomes aware of what shackles the mind. Both of these essays struggle with either the physical or mental chains that limit one’s ability to obtain knowledge and to become enlightened. Plato was born approximately 428 B.C.E. in Athens, Greece and was a student of Socrates and teacher to Aristotle. Plato, being a philosopher and a author, wrote dialogues that explored philosophical questions of justice, virtue, law, reason, and the soul. Plato founded the Academy in Athens, which was one of theShow MoreRelatedUnexamined Life Is Not Worth Living1851 Words   |  8 Pagesconvicted for impiety to the gods and for corrupting the youth because he had taught the young adults to question, he was given the opportunity to propose his own penalty. He refused to give up his mission as the one calling Athens to the examined way of life. He refused to leave Athens, if the condition were to be that he had to give up teaching. 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When people think about the great problems facing humanity, their attention tends to turn to issues such as poverty, warfare, pollution, and disease. While these problems are important and urgent, there are other problems which are equally urgent, but often overlooked. Are human beings born with a map for life? Can that map lead people to happiness? If there is a map, every human being can attain ha ppiness easily. Is there any

William Shakespeares Othello Argumentative Essay Example For Students

William Shakespeares Othello Argumentative Essay William Shakespeares OthelloTragedies frequently focus on a tragic hero that has a flaw that ultimately leads to his downfall. That flaw is commonly referred to as a tragic flaw that is inborn to the person and can reflect his background. In Aristotles Poetics, he discusses the theory of tragedy and what criteria is essential in an ideal tragedy. According to Aristotle, the tragic flaw is the most important part of the hero and the events that occur in the work is a reflection of that flaw. A tragic flaw is essential in a true tragedy. In William Shakespeares Othello, Othello is a prime example of an Aristotelian tragic hero. His gullibility and jealousy are the main reason of his downfall. Othello deals with love lost because of gullibility and jealousy. Aristotles theory of tragedy, found in the Poetics, deals with the characteristics of plays that make them a true tragedy. Those characteristics are essential in giving a play its true definition. According to Aristotle, the life and soul of tragedy is plot. Incidents in the plot have the best effect if they occur unexpectedly, and in consequence of one another. A great tragedy grips the audience with the plot. Aristotle also states that the sense of the inevitable must be present in tragedy. The tragic hero is also another important factor in an Aristotelian tragedy. The central character must be noble and have a higher stature than most men. The tragic hero must also have better qualities than secondary characters but must also exhibit flaws. The most important part of an Aristotelian tragic hero is the tragic flaw. The flaw is inborn to the person. He must have that flaw throughout his life and it will play the primary role in his downfall. The flaw can also reflect the tragic heros background. Another part of the central character is that he is destroyed by himself, not by others, bad luck, or depravity. These are the criteria necessary to be classified as a ideal tragedy. Othello meets the criteria to be called an Aristotelian tragedy. The main character of Othello is a classical example of a tragic hero. His basic elements matches him up to a true hero as defined by Aristotle. Othello was a soldier all his life. Due to his Moorish descent, he experienced many things that a normal Venetian didnt experience. His nobility and rank of a general made him of a higher stature than anyone else. His nobility and background made him a greatly respected person. That nobility also what attracted Desdemona, his wife. Othello also exhibited great leadership qualities that he earned in the field of battle and by being a leader in Venice. Othellos background also was of a unsophisticated one. He came from a land of bartering and barbarians. His background affected his attitude. Othello was a person that was innocent and base in nature. He was influenced by the way his life was going on. Othellos statement, Perdition catch my soul but I do love thee. And when I love thee not, chaos is come again. (act 3, sc. 3, line 100), showed that he felt his life was only in order if he is loved. His innocence and lack of sophistication is revealed in this statement. The people around him also knew of Othellos attitude. Iago was very quick to see this. In his first soliloquy, Iago said the moor is of a free and open nature that thinks men honest that but seem to be so. (1,3,442) Iago knew of Othellos weakness. Othellos innocence and baseness made him susceptible to being undermined by people. Iago also reveals his plan to use the moors gullibility against him. Othello was clearly a person who believed appearances versus reality. When Othello was told about an affair between Desdemona and Cassio, he started to become jealous. Being that person who believes appearances, he wanted ocular proof of Desdemonas infidelity. Even a superficial piece of evidence would have been sufficient. In his statement, Give me a living reason she is disloyal.(3,3,446), Othello revealed that he would believe in anything he saw. This is a clear example of his gullibility and that appearances could fool him. The Crucible8 Essay He lived for the love and care of a person. The way that he was turned to hatred was ironic. Even though Othello was Shakespeares most loving man, he was subjected and succumbed by the pull of Iago.(Stoll, 323) Iagos scheming inevitably caused Othellos turn for the worse. Othello had suffered an overpowering delusion.(Stoll, 325) The overpowering delusion that he suffers was due to his beliefs of an affair. His primal qualities led him to easily believe anything that was presented to him. Othellos false beliefs drove him into extreme anger and made him plot to kill his wife and lieutenant. The final stages of the play reveal the true gullibility of Othello to the other characters. Iago agreed to help kill Desdemona and Cassio. With Othello, they made a vow of brotherhood to kill his wife and his former lieutenant. When Othello finally did go through with his plan, the dying Desdemona reassured her faith to him. Othello believed Iago and his own false deductions instead of his own wife. Desdemona didnt realize Othellos flaws. In her statement, And but my noble moor is true of mind and made of no such baseness as jealous ones are, it were enough to put them to ill thinking.(3,4,25) she judged Othello opposite to what he really was. She didnt suspect that Othello would suspect her for an affair. In reality, Othello was a gullible person drawn into jealousy and falseness by Iago. Othello had accomplished his plan of killing his wife and destroying a marriage that no reason to be torn apart. Desdemona was the victim of a plot by a gullible man drove into rage because of lies. When Emilia confronted Othello, he admitted to killing his wife but said that she was untrue to him. Emilia repeatedly told Othello that it wasnt true. He responded to Emilia by saying, Ay, twas he that told me on her first. An honest man he is, and hates the slime that sticks on filthy deeds. (5,2,179) Othellos gullibility is also exhibited in this statement. He believed Iago and his lies because he thought that Iago was honest. Othello was drawn in by the appearance of Iago that was given to him. Iagos scheming was so powerful that Othello praised him for his honesty. Othello and Iago were finally caught and their plot was revealed. Iago didnt go through with his vow to kill Cassio. Othello told the officials his reasons for committing murder and that Iago told him of an affair. Iagos response was, Demand me nothing. What you know, you know. From this time forth, I never will speak a word.(5,2,335) Iago told Othello and the others that he didnt tell Othello about an afar. He just made insinuations and suggestions about one. Othello really didnt know of an affair between Desdemona and Cassio. His gullibility led him to be overtaken with appearances. Othello didnt make any real attempt to find out the truth. He relied on Iago to provide a picture of what he thought happened. Because of Othellos mistake to seek the truth, his inevitable downfall became realized when he killed himself. Othellos tragic flaw was being gullible. His background of baseness made him a weak minded person. Iago was an evil man who wanted to see the downfall of Othello. He recognized Othellos flaw and used it to his benefit. Iagos scheme consisted of images and appearances of an affair, but not evidence of one. Othellos stature, and downfall make him a true tragic hero. His tragic flaw, gullibility, the defining criteria of a tragic hero, made Othello a man that he never thought he would be. Othello became a person filled with rage and hatred who wanted to resolve the chaos in his life by putting an end to the affair that he believed was going on. All the structures of Othellos character makes him a prime example for a Aristotelian tragic hero.Shakespeare Essays