Reference no: EM133525950

Assignment:

Provide an argument against the below argument about the death penalty. Please appeal primarily to Kant's and Utilitarian Principles (Categorical Imperative, Formula of Humanity, and the Principle of the Greatest Good) to support your points. Please argue against this argument and the death penalty regardless of what you really think about the death penalty. Please do not offer any support for the death penalty. The aim of this assignment is to practice how to use Kant's and Utilitarian principles. DON'T argue against the argument below and the death penalty without any appeal to Kant's and Utilitarian principles,

Pro Death Penalty Argument (Retentionist Argument):

Premise 1) If we keep the death penalty, we run the risk of needlessly eradicating the lives of convicted murderers who might have been reformable (correctable).

Premise 2) If we abolish the death penalty we run the risk of some innocent people becoming future victims of murderers (for example, the prison guards).

Premise 3) Whether we choose to keep the death penalty or abolish it, there is a risk that some human lives will be needlessly lost.

Premise 4) We have no right to risk (endanger) lives of the innocent people.

Conclusion 5) Therefore, it is our moral obligation to retain (keep) the death penalty.

TIP: Premise 1) makes a point that is in favor to abolish the death penalty. No need to debate this point for it serves your assignment.