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Immanuel Kant's Theory Of The Death Penalty

706 Words3 Pages

Even though it is true that taking the life of another is not right, it is even truer that the punishment should fit the crime. The death penalty is an exercise of justice that promotes retribution for crime and moral punishment for those who choose to take human life. Also, it prevents society 's worse offenders from re-offending, and it provides justice for the victims whose lives were cut short without a second thought. To better understand why capital punishment is a justifiable act, Kant 's theory gives a clear and logical understanding of the eye for an eye approach. Additionally the utilitarian view also explains why capital punishment is justifiable in regards to comfort for the victim 's family and prevention of re-offending. 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. Also, if society does not sentence an offender to death, they are an accomplice to that crime (Avaliani, 2004). Criminals that kill should suffer the same fate as their victims. The punishment should,

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