Ethics of Capital Punishment

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Contents
* Introduction ………………………………………………………………………… 3
* The Metaethical Theories ………………………………………………………....... 3
* Capital Punishment ………………………………………………………………… 7
* Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………. 10
* Bibliography ……………………………………………………………………….. 11
Introduction
A long ongoing issue surrounds the implementation of capital punishment as part of the nation's justice system. There are groups of people that find capital punishment as an ideal system that will give justice to the victims of heinous crimes, while there is also a large portion of the population who believes that this does not have any positive result and only adds salt to the wound. There are supporters on both ends of the spectrum, each with their reasons and perspectives fuel their views regarding capital punishment. In line with these contradicting beliefs regarding capital punishment, this paper aims to discuss and apply the natural law theory versus Christian ethics' divine command theory to prove that the human population should oppose the implementation of capital punishment. Capital punishment should be abolished because it deprives an individual of their innate r
ight to live, reduces the value of human life, and promotes retribution and brutality in society.
Metaethical Theories
The Natural Law Theory
The natural law theory is supportive of the nature of man, and these are the natural law of survival and procreation. This theory touches on defining what is moral and ethical from what is not by how an act is also in conformity with these basic concepts of survival and procreation. Some other actions that are exhibiting the natural law theory aside from procreation and survival are man's nature to sleep, feed, and drink. In addition to this theory being supportive of human nature, another important key concept is the use of human rationality.[Geis, Sarah, and Ben R. Crenshaw. "Why Divine Command Theory Needs Natural Law." (2018).]
This theory heavily celebrates the rational minds of human beings having the ability to act according to the laws of nature that aim to protect the right to life, survival, and health of the human species. There is also the involvement of discerning whether an act is morally good and acceptable based on the motivation behind the actions and the results of the said act. An example that may highlight this idea during our modern times is an individual undergoing a surgical procedure that will cause scarring, wound, and pain, which is something that is against what the nature of man would dictate as ideal, however, when the theory of natural law is used, this act will be considered as morally acceptable and good because it is done for the patient's survival—for example, treating a life-threatening condition such as cancer or kidney failure. Thus, the pain inflicted will not be seen as a negative and evil thing if it is done for an individual's good.[Geis, Sarah, and Ben R. Crenshaw. (2018).]
Concerning the example given, other grounds dictate whether an act is considered morally good and ethical or not. The theory of natural law looks into the nature of the act, and for it to be considered good, it should at least be morally neutral, if not automatically good in itself. Another consideration is the intention of the doer of the action. For an act to be good, the doer should be aiming for the positive outcome and effects of the action, without too much focus on the possible negative impact or side effects of the actions. Lastly, rational thinking should be demonstrated by weighing the effects, both the positive and negative effects of an action. To be considered morally acceptable, good, and ethical, the bad effects should be justified. Efforts should be made to possibly reduce these said negative effects/impact of the act.[Geis, Sarah, and Ben R. Crenshaw. (2018).]
The Divine Command Theory
The Christian ethic's divine command theory argues that God is morally good, which is proven to human beings by the scriptures in the holy bible. This places God equivalent to the definition of good and moral, so in line with this, it will mean that the commandments of God are also equivalent to what is good in the world. These include the teachings in the holy bible taught by the biblical figures and prophets like Moses and John the Baptist, and of course, most especially Jesus Christ. This implies that an action is defined as something good and moral in society if God commands it. Aside from the specific actions commanded by God, such as those found in the Ten Commandments and the beatitudes, God also have laws and restrictions, those actions that He forbids His people from committing, so this is another aspect of the divine command theory that influences the rules of society and conducts of man. This defines that those actions God commands are morally sound and acceptable, while those He forbids are evil and should be condemned.[Morgan, Jeffrey. "CAN WE HAVE ETHICS WITHOUT RELIGION? ON DIVINE COMMAND THEORY AND NATURAL LAW THEORY." Introduction to Philosophy: Ethics: 14.]
There are said to be certain assumptions when discussing the divine command theory. These are the following: 1) God is real. 2) He commands and restricts some of the man's actions. 3) The morality or goodness of an act depends on whether God commands it. 4) It is man's responsibility to discover these acts that God allows, commands, and forbids. Regarding the concept of a man discovering what actions are prohibited and allowed by God, it can be done through mainly the holy scriptures where the teachings are written, by abiding with the laws of religious figures and authorities, and last but not least among the three is the innate human conscience that can discern good from evil.[Quinn, Philip L. "Divine command theory." The Blackwell guide to ethical theory (2013): 81-102.]
It should be noted that the divine command theory does not necessarily concern specific outcome...