Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should the death penalty be abolished?
Position‹2 of 2

No, we should not abolish the death penalty

This position holds that the death penalty should not be abolished. Its arguments contend that it delivers justice for the gravest crimes, deters offending and saves lives, gives victims' families closure, and affirms the value of human life by punishing murder with the ultimate penalty.

Supporting arguments · 5

  1. The death penalty saves lives
    By discouraging heinous crime, the death penalty saves countless innocent lives.
  2. The death penalty affirms the value of human life
    By punishing human rights violations zealously, the death penalty affirms the value of all human life.
  3. The death penalty administers justice because some people deserve death
    For justice to be done, a person's punishment must fit the severity of their crime. In some cases, the only fitting punishment is death.
  4. The death penalty gives victims closure
    Victims and their families deserve to know that their tormentors will pay for their crimes.
  5. The death penalty deters crime
    The risk of harsh punishment deters people from committing heinous crimes.