Question

Explain van den Haag’s argument for the view that the death penalty is not an uncivilized or inhumane practice. Raise at least one objection to his argument.

Answer 1

Explain van den Haag’s argument for the view that the death penalty is not an uncivilized or inhumane practice.

Van den Haag believed homicide to be the most deplorable crime a human being can commit. Van den Haag  argued that “the state must teach that killing anyone deliberately, for whatever reason, is needless and wrong.” So, he considered hat the death penalty is not an uncivilized or inhumane practice. Ernest van den Haag argued that people knowingly weighed the cost and benefits of committing a crime before they committed it, and if caught and found guilty they should receive death penalty for that crime.

Raise at least one objection to his argument.

Every life has a value and death punishment can spread a feeling of brutalisation in the society.