Ethical Inquiry Debating Capital Punishment

Students will be divided into groups according to whether they support or oppose capital punishment.

Part I

Discuss and try to agree on a list of reasons can you give to support your view?

1. First just brainstorm a set of ideas.
2. Then try to agree on a list of reasons you can all support.
3. State each of those reasons clearly and carefully. Use sentences, not just phrases or words, to express your ideas. (For example, don’t just say “deterrence.” Say, “Capital punishment is justified because it does a better job of deterring potential murderers.” Of course, you shouldn’t say this unless you think it’s true.)

Part II

Discuss and try to agree on answers to the following:

1. What do you think are the most powerful arguments used by the opposing side to justify their position? (In other words, if you support capital punishment, I want you to say what you think are the best arguments against it. If you oppose capital punishment I want you to say what you think are the best arguments in favor of it.)
2. How would you try to answer (rebut, disprove, criticize) those arguments?