Capital punishment

• UK law:

  • In 1965 it was suspended and abolished in 1970.
  • rejected due to the fear of an innocent person being murdered
• Application of natural moral law to capital punishment:

  • Aquinas allowed it when being carried out by the state
  • supports primary precept of living in an ordered society
  • Upholds the cardinal virtue of justice as it supports retribution
  • Catholics popes have expressed strong opinions against it
• Application of situation ethics to capital punishment:

  • specific to every situation
  • takes into account all those involved, the victim, the victims loved ones, the murderer, the murderers loved ones and society as a whole.
  • greatest love for the greatest number
• Application of virtue ethics to capital punishment:

  • virtue of justice
  • interest of society need to be taken into account
  • justified if murderer poses a threat to society
  • restors balance in society
  • he wouldve taken into account the motive behind the murder