Ethics Essay

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September 15, 2015

Honorable Robert Bentley

State of Alabama

State Capitol Building

Montgomery, AL 63130

Dear Governor,

I am writing this letter regarding the practice of capital punishment and, in essence, my personal opposition to it.  I have not formed my views lightly.  On the contrary, I have carefully balanced and applied basic ethical theories from some of mankind’s greatest thinkers and accepted by civilized societies throughout generations.  Although, I find each theory to be subjective, to say the least.

For example, according to the Divine Command or Retributive Theory, justice can be summed up in the single phrase of “an eye for an eye”.  Of course, theologically speaking, mercy, forgiveness, and the preservation of life is considered to be a divine command as well, depending on individual interpretation and religious preferences or doctrines.  Furthermore, based on these theories, one could argue that if we should kill those who kill, then we should rape who is raped, rob who is robbed, etc., which seems problematic.

Utilitarianism theorist consider capital punishment to be acceptable when, as a consequence, it serves as a deterrent which ultimately would promote and preserve life in the future, thereby inducing the most good.  Even Kant, in the name of justice and righteousness, condoned capital punishment.  He also considered the equality of all life to be preserved by implementing the ultimate punishment due to the fact that, in doing so, the value of life is revered.  However, as I am sure you know, there is virtually no indication that capital punishment has served as a substantial deterrent.

Admittedly, there are some very compelling arguments in favor of maximum punishment.  Ethical Egoism Theories are based on the interest of which, depending on how you look at it, can effectively be invoked by both opponents and proponents of capital punishment, depending on the individualistic rationalization of “self-interest”.  Certainly no one would consider it to be in their best interest to subject themselves to death whether it be in the name of retribution or otherwise.  However, as in maxim or universal laws, if the act of killing another human being is considered indicative of how life is valued and death acceptable by the killer—then the justification of capital punishment is not such a big leap.  Actually, according to Deontology, the precedence created by the killer could, arguably, further promote said individuals liberties in that by choosing a world which advocates and includes the death of another he or she has freely and justifiably chosen death on him or herself for having done so.