save: murderers and innocent
victims in the future
lose: convicted murderer
save: nothing affected
lose: convicted murderer
save: convicted murderer
lose: innocent victims in the
future
save: convicted murderer
lose: nothing affected
Following this table, Conway assumes (after Van den Haag’s suggestion that the life of a convicted murderer is not valued more highly than that of the unknown victims) numerical values about each case (each numerical number stands for not a number of people but a hypothetical value for a person to be saved or killed) :
a murderer saved +5
a murderer executed -5
an innocent saved +10
an innocent murdered -10
Moreover, he assumes that for each execution, only two innocent lives are spared (i.e. he assumes the deterrent effect to be almost the minimum). Then, consequently, executing convicted murderers turns out to be a good bet (Conway 1995, pp. 265-266; Pojman 1998, pp. 40-41).
9. Negative causation and where to give priority
Van den Haag’s ‘Best Bet Argument’ sounds quite interesting. However, Conway has already proposed a fundamental challenge to this argument: it mistakenly regards the actual death of convicted murderers as being on a par with the possible death of innocent victims in the future (Conway 1995, pp. 269-270). This is confusing or possibly a rhetorical sleight of hand. I think that Conway’s reaction to Van den Haag’s argument is a reasonable one.
As I approach my conclusion, I will propose two problems with Van den Haag’s argument. First, I want to acknowledge that any arguments, including Van den Haag’s, supporting the death penalty in terms of its deterrent effect seem to presuppose a causal relationship between the existence of the death penalty and people not killing others. For example, Pojman writes, ‘the repeated announcement and regular exercise of capital punishment may have deep causal influence’ (1998, p. 48). However, epistemologically speaking, that presupposition is extremely hard to confirm, because the effect of this causal relationship is not a positive, but rather a negative event, which is the event of not killing others. This has something to do with the philosophical problem of how to understand negative properties. By negative properties we mean that, for example, my room is not full of seawater; my room does not consist of paper; my room is not melting us, etc. Such descriptions by negative properties can be made almost endlessly. In other words, one identical event described by a positive property (e.g., this room is well lit) can be re-described in infinite ways in terms of negative properties. Take the example that I am now at my computer in Tokyo, writing a paper. This event can also be described as ‘I am not eating’, ‘I am not sleeping’, ‘I am not killing others’ (!), etc. The positive event, ‘I am writing a paper now’, can be understood through a causal relationship. The event was most likely caused by my intention to do so, which was caused by my sense of duty as a professor, etc. How, then, could we understand the negative description of my action, ‘I am not killing others’? Was this caused by the existence of the death penalty in Japan?
Perhaps I was completely unaware of the existence of the death penalty in Japan when I wrote a paper without killing others. Could the death penalty be its cause? Could the negative event ‘I am not killing others’ be an effect of the death penalty? It is hard to say so.
This problem is the same as the problem of ‘causation by absence’ or ‘omission-involving causation’. Generally, causation by absence is usually examined in the form of answering a question about whether nothingness can cause something. For example, David Lewis discusses a question about how a void (understood as being entirely empty or nothing at all, differing from a vacuum) is regarded as a cause of something (Lewis 2004). He says, ‘If you were cast into a void, it would cause you to die in just a few minutes. It would suck the air from your lungs. It would boil your blood. It would drain the warmth from your body. And it would inflate enclosures in your body until they burst’ (ibid., p.277). However, the problem is that the void is nothing. ‘When the void sucks away the air, it does not exert an attractive force on the air’ (ibid.). Furthermore, another, perhaps harder problem would arise. We can say, ‘If I defended you from being cast into a void, you would not die’. Namely, my omission to defend you would cause you to die. However, should only my omission matter? What of your brother’s omission to defend you? Or the Prime Minister of the UK’s omission to defend you? Are not all of those qualified to be the cause of your death, as least as long as we adopt a common-sense counterfactual analysis of causation? As this argument suggests, in the context of the current debate on this problem, the most troublesome phase is that ‘too many’ absences can be supposed to cause a particular effect. I quote Menzies, who says (2004, p.145):
I am writing this essay at my computer. If, however, there were nerve gas in the air, or I were attacked with flamethrowers, or struck by a meteor shower, I would not be writing the essay. But it is counterintuitive to say that the absence of nerve gas, flamethrower attack, and meteor strike are causes of my writing the essay.
This example takes the issue of absence as a cause, but simultaneously his example refers to the case of effect as absence (not writing the essay). As this shows, the current debate on the problem of causation by absence could extend to the case of effect as absence. In any case, what matters is a possibility that ‘too many’ absences can cause something, and something can cause ‘too many’ absences (Menzies calls this problem ‘the problem of profligate causation’ (ibid., pp.142-145). Then the deterrent effect of the death penalty is definitely classified as a case of absence as effect rather than cause. In other words, the absence of homicide (as effect) matters, whereas in this case execution (as cause) is presupposed to exist. It seems that the current debate on causation by absence is highly likely to contribute to discussing the problem of the deterrent effect.
Of course, someone may counter my argument by saying that what matters in this context is a statistical correlation between the number of executions and the number of homicides, which could be confirmed in an empirical way. I admit that the statistical correlation plays a crucial role here, even though we must simultaneously acknowledge that what is called ‘randomized controlled trial’, the most reliable, statistical methodology to confirm causal relations, is unfeasible due to the nature of the problem. Actually, this kind of correlation is too rough to predict the causal relationship between those, although the causation really matters. Causes of a reduction or increase in the number of homicides can be interpreted or estimated in various ways, considering confounding factors, such as education, economic situation, urban planning, and so on. Therefore, in principle, there always remains the possibility that the apparent correlation between the death penalty and the reduction of homicides is merely accidental. For example, there may be another, common cause, that brings about both people’s tendency to support the death penalty and the reduction of homicides 9 . We should recognise that there is intrinsic uncertainty here. These difficulties concerning causal relations give rise to a fourth problem related to the death penalty debates – the Uncertainty of Causal Consequences.
Incidentally, let me now return to my distinction of the three stages regarding the death penalty. Obviously, the issue of the deterrent effect belongs primarily to the Danger Stage. Yet it is vital to consider the Harm Stage. How can the deterrent effect affect the Harm Stage? I must say that the retentionist’s argument, in terms of the deterrent effect of the death penalty, completely dismisses this essential point. We need only recall the analogy of the 2011 quake in Japan. ‘Retentionism’ based upon the deterrent effect corresponds to aspect (3), where the improvement of the preventive system matters. This is important, of course, but cannot be a priority. Priority lies in the issues of how to deal with the actual harm that the victims have already suffered (specifically referring to the bereaved family or others in the case of homicide and the death penalty). Without consideration of how to cope with the harm, even if the theory seriously considers the innocent victims in the future, the retentionists’ theory can hardly be persuasive.
It is true that the retentionists’ theory based on the deterrent effect appropriately considers the person harmed in the process of punishment. For example, Walker considers such a phase in the process of punishment as one of the possible objections against retentionism based on the deterrent effect by saying: ‘if the benefit excludes the person harmed this too is nowadays regarded by many people as morally unacceptable’ (Walker 1980, p. 65). However, as the context clearly shows, by ‘the person harmed’ he means the person punished. He does not mention the initial harm suffered by victims. This problem is concerned with my previous claim; that is, we have to consider the ‘whom-question’ when we discuss the justification of punishment. Whom are we discussing? Whose benefit do we consider? In the face of victims before our eyes, can we emphasise only the improvement of preventive systems for the future? Evidently, actual victims are the first to be helped, although obviously it is not at all bad to simultaneously consider the preventive system in the future. It is necessary for us to respect basic human rights and the human dignity of perpetrators and innocent people in the future; however, that respect must be in conjunction with our first taking care of actual victims. We ought not to get our priorities wrong.
10. Prospects
I have indicated that the debates on the death penalty are inevitably surrounded by four problems over specific kinds of uncertainties: uncertainty concerning the victim of homicide, uncertainty in justifying the death penalty from the feeling of being victimised, uncertainty in justifying the death penalty on the basis of human rights, and uncertainty over negative causation. In the course of examining these problems, I have proposed the option of developing an ‘impossibilist’ position about the death penalty, which I am convinced, deserves further investigation. However, being surrounded by theoretical problems and uncertainties might be more or less true of any social institution. My aim is only to suggest how the death penalty should be understood as involving uncertainties from a philosophical perspective. Most likely, if there is something practical that I can suggest based on my argument, then what we might call a ‘Harm-Centred System’ may be introduced as a relatively promising option instead of, or in tandem with, the death penalty. What I mean by this is a system in which we establish as a priority redressing actual harm with regard to legal justice, where ‘actual harm’ only implies what the bereaved family suffer from, as the direct victims have already disappeared in the case of homicide. In other words, I think that something akin to the maximalist approach to restorative justice 10 or some hybrid of the traditional justice system and the restorative justice system should be seriously considered, although we cannot expect perfect solutions exempt from all of the above four problems. It is certainly worth considering whether some element of restorative justice can play a significant role in the best theory of punishment.
In any case, my argument is at most a philosophical attempt to address problems. How to apply it to the practice of the legal system is a question to be tackled in a future project.
Bazemore, G. and Walgrave, L. 1999 (1). ‘Introduction: Restorative Justice and the International Juvenile Justice Crisis’. In Restorative Juvenile Justice: Repairing the Harm of Youth Crime , eds. G. Bazemore and L. Walgrave, Criminal Justice Press, 1-13.
———. 1999 (2). ‘Restorative Juvenile Justice: In Search of Fundamentals and an Outline for System Reform’. In Restorative Juvenile Justice: Repairing the Harm of Youth Crime , eds. G. Bazemore and L. Walgrave, Criminal Justice Press, 45-74.
Beyleveld, D. 1979. ‘Identifying, Explaining and Predicting Deterrence’. British Journal of Criminology 19:3, 205–224.
Calvert, B. 1993. ‘Locke on Punishment and the Death Penalty’. Philosophy 68:264,, 211–229.
Collins, J., N. Hall, and L. A. Paul. 2004. Causation and Counterfactuals. MIT Press.
Conway, D. A. 1995 (originally 1974). ‘Capital Punishment and Deterrence: Some Considerations in Dialogue Form’. In Punishment: A Philosophy and Public Affairs Reader , eds. J. Simmons, M. Cohen, J. Cohen, and C. R. Beitz. Princeton University Press, 261–273.
Diogenes Laertius. 1925. Lives of Eminent Philosophers. Vol. 2. Trans. R. D. Hicks. Loeb Classical Library. William Heinemann Ltd.
Ehrlich, I. 1975. ‘The Deterrent Effect of Capital Punishment: A Question of Life and Death’. American Economic Review 65:3, 397–417.
Fagan, A. 2016. ‘Human Rights’. In Chase B. Wrenn, The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ISSN 2161-0002. Available from http://www.iep.utm.edu/hum-rts/#H2 [Accessed 12 June 2017]
Fischer, J. M., ed. 1993. The Metaphysics of Death . Stanford University Press.
Goldman, A. H. 1995 (originally 1979). ‘The Paradox of Punishment’. In Punishment: A Philosophy and Public Affairs Reader , eds. J. Simmons, M. Cohen, J. Cohen, and C. R. Beitz. Princeton University Press, 30–46.
Hart, H. L. A. 1982. Essays on Bentham: Jurisprudence and Political Theory . Oxford University Press.
Ichinose, M. 2013. ‘Hybrid Nature of Causation’. In T. Uehiro, Ethics for the Future of Life: Proceedings of the 2012 Uehiro-Carnegie-Oxford Ethics Conference , the Oxford Uehiro Center for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford, 60-80.
———. 2016. ‘A Philosophical Inquiry into the Confusion over the Radiation Exposure Problem’. Journal of Disaster Research 11: No.sp, 770-779.
Lewis, D. 2004. ‘Void and Object’. In J. Collins, N. Hall, and L. A. Paul, Causation and Counterfactuals . MIT Press, 277–290.
Locke, J. 1960. Two Treatises of Government , ed. P. Laslett, Cambridge University Press.
———. 1975. An Essay concerning Human Understanding , ed. P. H. Nidditch. Oxford University Press.
Menzies, P. 2004. ‘Difference-Making in Context’. In J. Collins, N. Hall, and L. A. Paul, Causation and Counterfactuals . MIT Press, 139–180.
Pojman, L. P., and J. Reiman. 1998. The Death Penalty: For and Against. Rowman &Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Scanlon, T. M. 1982. ‘Contractualism and utilitarianism’. In A. Sen and B. Williams, Utilitarianism and Beyond . Cambridge University Press, 103-128.,
Simmons, A. J. 1994. ‘Locke on the Death Penalty’. Philosophy 69:270, 471–477.
Strawson, G. 2008. ‘The Impossibility of Ultimate Moral Responsibility’. In Real Materialism. Oxford University Press, 319–331.
Tonry, M. 1994. ‘Proportionality, Parsimony, and Interchangeability of Punishments’. In A Reader on Punishment , eds. A. Duff and D. Garland. Oxford University Press, 133–160.
Van den Faag, E. 1995 (originally 1969). ‘On Deterrence and the Death Penalty’. In Punishment and the Death Penalty: The Current Debate , eds. R. M. Baird and S. E. Rosenbaum. Prometheus Books.
Von Hirsch, A. 1993. Censure and Sanctions. Oxford University Press.
Walen, A, 2015. ‘Retributive Justice’. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2015 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.). Available from http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2015/entries/justice-retributive/ [Accessed 12 June 2017]
Walker, N. 1980. Punishment, Danger and Stigma: The Morality of Criminal Justice . Barnes & Noble Books.
1. Strangely, few Locke scholars have seriously tried to understand the Lockean meaning of punishment, which is developed in his Second Treatise ,(Locke 1960), in the light of his theory of personal identity based upon ‘consciousness’, which is discussed in his Essay Concerning Human Understanding . Taking into account the fact that ‘person’ appears as the key word in both works of Locke, we must bridge the gap between his two works by rethinking the universal significance of ‘person’ in his arguments. There were, however, some controversies concerning how Locke evaluates the death penalty. See Calvert (1993) and Simmons (1994).
2. There is an additional question about whether justification is needed after the execution when the convict is no longer around, in addition to ‘before’ and ‘during’. According to my understanding of justification, the process of justification must begin with making each person concerned understand what there is no reason to reject, but that is just a starting, necessary point. Justification must go beyond the initial phase to acquiring general consent from society. In this sense, justification seems to be needed even ‘after’ the execution. Actually, if there is no need for justification after the execution, that sounds less like punishment based on a system of justice than merely physical disposal.
3. Is it true that the death penalty is the ultimate punishment? Can we not suppose that the death penalty is less harmful than a life sentence or very lengthy incarceration? However, this view regarding the death penalty as less harmful than a lifelong sentence could lead to a paradox. If this order of severity as punishment is valid, it may be possible to reduce the lifelong sentence (due to an amnesty, some consideration on the prisoner’s rehabilitation, or something like that) to the death penalty. If this is the case, prisoners given the lifelong sentence will not make an effort at all to rehabilitate themselves, due to fear of the sentence being reduced to the death penalty. In addition, if a person is likely to be sentenced to death, the person might try to commit a more heinous crime, perhaps even in the court in order to be given a more severe sentence, i.e. a life sentence in prison. That is a paradox drawn from human nature.
4. On the current debates on ‘HTD’ of Epicurus, see Fischer (1993). Of course, there are lots of objections against the Epicurean view. The most typical objection is that death deprives people of their chance to enjoy life, and therefore death is harmful. However, it seems to me that “whom-question” must be raised again here. To whom is the deprivation of this chance harmful? In any case, the metaphysics of death is a popular topic in contemporary philosophy, which should involve not only metaphysical issues but also ethical and epistemological problems.
5. In fact, the hardships suffered by those forced to flee to shelters constituted the main problem resulting from the nuclear power plants accident. In general, radiation exposure is the most well-known problemarising from nuclear power plant accidents, but it is not always the case. In particular in the case of the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in Japan, the overestimation of the danger of radiation exposure, and evacuation activities resulting from that overestimation, caused the biggest and the most serious problems including many of the deaths. We always have to take the risk-tradeoff into account. Radiation exposure is just one risk, and is not the only risk to be considered. See Ichinose (2016).
6. The notion of parsimony was newly offered to avoid a fundamental drawback of the standard retributive system, whether based on cardinal or ordinal proportionality: the standard system tends to inflict excessive, cruel punishment, as its criterion of measuring wrongness is not exempt from being arbitrary. In contrast, the newly offered system could hold inflicted punishment ‘as minimally as possible, consistent with the vague limits of cardinal desert’ (Walen 2015) in terms of introducing an idea of parsimony. The notion of parsimony could make the retributive system of punishment more reasonable and humane while retaining the idea of retribution.
7. Roger Crisp kindly pointed out that it is worth considering an institutional justification according to which punishment wouldn’t have to be tailored to a particular case. In this view, it is sufficient that death is generally bad for both victims and perpetrators. I do not deny the practical persuasiveness of this view. However, from a more philosophical point of view, we should propose a question ‘how can we know that death is generally bad for victims of homicide?’ Following HTD, which is certainly one possible philosophical view, death is not bad at all, regardless of whether we talk about general issues or particular cases, as an agent to whom something is bad or not disappears by dying by definition. Of course, as long as we exclusively focus upon harm which the bereaved family or the society in general suffer, the institutional justification could make good sense, although in that case the issue of direct victims killed would remain untouched.
8. Additionally, my analogy with natural disasters, particularly the case of the 2011 quake, could be re-confirmed to be appropriate in the sense of presenting a similar kind of uncertainty to the case of the death penalty. The danger of constant exposure to low doses of radiation for long periods involves some uncertainty, as far as we now know. Fortunately, however, the dose of radiation to which the people of Fukushima were exposed as a result of the 2011 quake, internally and externally, was low enough for us to be certain, based upon past epidemiological research, that no health problems will arise in the future. Regarding radiation exposure, everything depends upon the level of dose. The smaller the dose, the less dangerous it is.
9. On negative causation and the possibility of common cause, see Ichinose (2013). In particular, my argument on negative causation concerning the death penalty rests on my argument of Ichinose (2013).
10. According to Bazemore and Walgrave, ‘restorative justice is every action that is primarily oriented towards doing justice by repairing the harm that has been caused by a crime (Bazemore and Walgrave 1999 (2), p.48). Restorative justice, that is to say, is a justice system that mainly aims at restoring or repairing the harm of offences rather than punishing offenders as the retributive justice system does. Initially, restorative justice has been carried out by holding ‘a face-to-face meeting between the parties with a stake in the particular offense’ (ibid.) like victim, offenders, or victimised communities. However, this type of justice system works only in a complementary way to the traditional system of retributive justice. Then, the maximalist approach to restorative justice was proposed, which seeks to develop ‘restorative justice as a fully-fledged alternative’(Bazemore and Walgrave 1999 (1). Introduction. P.8) to retributive justice. This approach ‘will need to include the use of coercion and a formalization of both procedures and the relationship between communities and society’ (ibid., p.9.)
Death penalty and ethics, arguments in support of death penalty, arguments against death penalty, my own opinion, reference list.
Philosophy is a very wide discipline with numerous branches and sub disciplines. Some of the sub disciplines include epistemology, which is the study of knowledge for instance its nature, sources and limitation, ethics on the other hand studies morality for instance what is right or wrong or good or evil. Religion is also an essential aspect of philosophy and entails the beliefs that involve the cause, nature and purpose of the universe.
It relates humanity to truths and values. Death penalty can fall well under the ethics and religion branches of philosophy. It is a practice that has been present in many countries around the world although most of them only retain it but do not exercise it. This paper discusses death penalty in relation to ethics emphasizing on what is considered right or wrong based on the arguments supporting and those against it. My own point of view will also be highlighted.
Death penalty is also referred to as capital punishment. It is usually the sternest form of corporal punishment since it entails taking away the lives of the convicted offenders by the law enforcement officers.
It entails the compulsory execution of a criminal offender as a form of punishment for committing crimes that are considered to be serious by the law for instance murder and treason although in some instances, it could include adultery, rape and some form of fraud. It is an act that can only be ordered by the state. There are numerous arguments put forth both for and against the aspect of death penalty.
The issue of whether or not it is right to undertake capital punishment and the circumstances that should necessitate death penalty has brought about a lot of controversy and debates among various people, the ethical aspect being realized in deciding the moral behind capital punishment especially considering the right to deprive a human being of his or her life.
This is the basic dispute over death penalty. The morality behind death penalty is undermined by different views that are brought forward by different theories or schools of thought in the ethical disciplines.
For example, the aspect of killing is considered either right or wrong depending on the circumstances although in the overall view, killing is evil and unethical. Killing for defense purposes and for the overall good of the society for instance to avoid more harm to the innocent citizens is in most cases justified but malicious killing considered wrong (Cohen and Wellman, 2005).
There are various factors attributed to general punishment for offenders for example deterrent and defense where the punishment is aimed at preventing the offenders from engaging in crime in the future, retribution where the punishment is considered as what the criminal offenders deserve and restoration where the punishment is aimed at restoring a good relationship between the offenders, the victims and the society at large.
The individuals and groups who support capital punishment mainly base their argument on retribution and deterrent and defense at the expense of ignoring restoration since it is not practical once execution is carried out. There are arguments that have been put forth in support for capital punishment. The issue, however, varies from country to country depending on the political grounds or foundation.
In the United States for example, a majority of people, adults, seem to support capital punishment although most of the youths and non governmental institutions are strongly not for it. The law is retained in most of the American states. However, the issue has gained a lot of support in some countries for example Taiwan and there seems to be very little campaign against its perpetration (White, 2011).
Some of the general arguments that are common among the supporters of death penalty include the following. The criminal offenders who have perpetrated criminal activities especially murder have violated the victim’s right to life and, therefore, they should also not be left to enjoy life but rather they should also be killed. This falls under the retribution principle.
This is, however, not ethical as two wrongs do not make a right and killing the criminal offender also entails depriving them of their life which is morally wrong. Another argument that supports capital punishment is that death penalty is a way of showing respect to the victims and the rest of the society.
This is because it is deemed to enhance the healing process of the victim and also it is viewed as a source of peace of mind for the victims and their relations. The belief and perception that there should be justice is also a basis for the support of capital punishment as people believe that equal justice should be maintained hence life should cost another life thus death for death.
The practice of death penalty is also taken as a step towards preventing other innocent individuals that could fall victims in future if other alternative punishments are given to the offenders since they would at one time be integrated with the society.
It is viewed as the most effective and appropriate way of ensuring the society is safe from further criminal acts of the particular offender. The supporters also argue that death penalty is also somehow advantageous to the criminal offenders as it is not as cruel as other sentences that are usually prolonged hence making them suffer for long periods of time.
The fact that it is present in law is also a strong view point for the supporters. Housing a prisoner for his entire life is also considered uneconomical as compared to an execution of the criminal offenders. The supporters also argue that some killing is justified in some instances for example when it is conducted for self defense. This is because some difference is usually attached in the circumstances that led to the killing.
When the killing is in defense, the person killed is not innocent as is the case when the murder is perpetrated by a criminal on an innocent individual. The supporters also argue that the killing of criminal offenders is like killing in self defense since the murderer is not innocent hence justifying capital punishment (Banks, 2004).
There are various factors that the people and groups that oppose the issue of capital punishment base their arguments on. Most nations are against the practice of death penalty, for instance, in western Europe, capital punishment is viewed as old fashioned and an act of the past and hence it receives very little public support in regard to its reinstatement. The general arguments against the perpetration of death penalty include the following.
The major argument is that capital punishment entails depriving an individual’s right to life as it involves killing which has never been right as it entails violation of the human right to live. The suffering and pain the criminal offenders face in the event of being sentenced to capital punishment is also too much and considered wrong and unethical as it constitutes a lot of physical and more so emotional anguish which is not right irrespective of what the offenders have committed.
The irregularities and discrimination in the sentencing to death penalty is also a contributing factor towards the campaign against death penalty as the circumstances that lead to its perpetration differ. For instance, if the criminal offence was committed between people of different races or complete strangers, it is more likely to attract capital punishment as opposed to when the crime is committed to people of the same race or with some form of affiliations with the criminal offender.
This aspect brings in some aspects of injustice and unfairness which is wrong and unethical. The issue of death penalty also enhances the chances of police and other law enforcers’ misconduct as they are likely to use some innocent individuals as scapegoats hence face the execution instead of the responsible criminals just because they have some powers and influence in a way.
Statistics have also shown that death penalty is not a solution as the states that advocate and execute it have not shown any significant signs of reduction of violent criminal activities and hence it is more ethical to apply other forms of sentencing other than execution or death penalty as it will eliminate killing which is morally wrong.
The practice of death penalty also shows some negative attributes of the society as it emphasizes on killing as a right act in some situations for instance when offended as is the case for the criminal offenders. The aspect of carrying out the execution is also not morally right or ethical to the executors or the individuals involved in carrying out the act as it affects them psychologically and in some instances, it may affect their perception on life issues as they may not value life as they should.
Death penalty is not only considered unethical by those opposing it but also uneconomical as the cost incurred in it usually exceeds that of trial and life imprisonment. Other forms of preventing criminal activities other than death penalty are also advocated for example education campaigns as they are more effective in preventing other people from indulging in the same as opposed to where the offenders are killed (Oderberg, 2000).
Some of the unique reasons for opposing death penalty include the absolutist view that states capital punishment violates the right to life. The life of a human being should always be preserved unless there is a very good and justifiable reason that dictates otherwise,
The risk of killing the innocent is also so high and the problem comes in since the act is not reversible and once a life is lost it is lost forever making capital punishment even more wrong and unethical.
The side of the death penalty better defended is that opposing the idea of capital punishment. However, there are more arguments that have been put forth in the support of death penalty although I consider them weak as compared to those put forward against death penalty.
For instance the argument that killing the criminal offenders as a way of ensuring justice and respect to the victims does not really work because two wrongs will never make a right. The fact that people consider murder an offence should always stand even in case of execution of the criminal offenders as in both cases, killing and taking of human life is unethical and immoral (Thomson, 1999).
My own view in regard to death penalty is that it is unethical since no matter the circumstances or the factors that facilitates the offenders to be involved in the serious crimes especially murder, the fact remains that killing is wrong as it entails violation of the victim’s human right to live whether the person has committed crime or not.
The arguments for the capital punishment as explained earlier are also extremely weak and the practice of death penalty is morally wrong. Human life is valuable and even the criminal murderers deserve to live and their lives should not be deprived since their criminal acts do not make them less valuable.
The possibility and high chances of execution of innocent individuals also makes the issues seem very wrong as most people who have undergone execution after some investigations been found innocent. Killing is also negative as we cannot teach that the criminal offenders did some wrongs whereas we also kill them in the name of ensuring justice. Undertaking revenge by killing because the person was also involved in killing is also not justifiable.
There should, therefore, be formulation and implementation of laws and sentencing that should replace death penalty as it is not an absolute solution in the minimization of criminal offences especially those that entail murder.
This is evident since research shows that those states that use capital punishment as a way for dealing with murder cases have not shown any signs of reduction of the violent crimes as compared to the states that have abolished it since it does not play a significant part in educating or preventing others from indulging in the same offences.
It is evident the issue of death penalty is associated with a lot of controversy as people differ in regard to whether it is right or wrong. The ethical and religious aspects usually differ with it in most cases as no matter the circumstances, depriving an individual’s right to life is considered evil or wrong. Although most nations retain the death penalty as a punishment for offences deemed to be serious, they do not practice it and there is increasing campaign for the abolition of capital punishment.
The issue of death penalty is, however, very controversial as the fundamental values that are used as the basis for the arguments for and against it are the same which entail the search for justice and respect for human life. Those supporting it argue there should be justice and respect for the victims while those that oppose it argue justice and respect should be shown to the offenders through provision of other sentences other than being involved in depriving the offenders their lives through death penalty.
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Thomson, A. (1999). Critical reasoning In Ethics: A Practical Introduction . New York: Routledge.
White, D. (2011). Pros & Cons of the Death Penalty . Web.
IvyPanda. (2018, August 23). Death Penalty and Ethics. https://ivypanda.com/essays/death-penalty-2/
"Death Penalty and Ethics." IvyPanda , 23 Aug. 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/death-penalty-2/.
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IvyPanda . 2018. "Death Penalty and Ethics." August 23, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/death-penalty-2/.
1. IvyPanda . "Death Penalty and Ethics." August 23, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/death-penalty-2/.
Bibliography
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Utilizing the death penalty raises ethical concerns, on the other hand, proponents argue that the death penalty is a necessary tool in the fight against crime, in conclusion.
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What should we do with murderers and other dangerous criminals? This dilemma has challenged societies since the beginning of their existence but the decision has not gotten any easier. One option is capital punishment, or the death penalty. This allows states to decide on a case by case basis whether to punish a crime with a life sentence or execution. This paper will explore the ethical implications of capital punishment and evaluate its place in a modern society. It will present both Kant’s retributive theory and utilitarianism in relation to capital punishment. Finally I will offer my own opinion on these theories and whether I feel they justify the use of the death penalty in America.
The first execution in the United States was in 1608 following British law. After the Revolutionary War and American Independence, the United States maintained the practice of capital punishment even after it was abolished in Britain in 1964. The decision of capital punishment has always been a state issue. Over the years many states have chosen to individually ban the death penalty with Michigan first in 1846. This trend has been followed by 16 other states including a nationwide moratorium instated by the Supreme Court from 1972-1976. In 1976 the Supreme Court deemed capital punishment legal for certain cases. Currently 34 U.S. states use the death penalty for a small number of aggravated murder cases. According to a 2011 Gallup poll, 61% of the public supports the use of the death penalty although that figure drops to 49% when other options are offered (DPIC).
According to Amnesty International (2010), the United States is 5 th in the world in terms of number of executions per annum after China, Iran, North Korea and Yemen. 97 countries had abolished the death penalty outright by 2012 with around 70 nations retaining the death penalty though many do not actively use it as a punishment. The European Union has a strict anti-death penalty law for all member nations. Practicing nations are also in violation of International Law by the United Nations.
One of the universal trends in capital punishment has been the progression to less brutal and more ‘humane’ methods of execution. The French developed the guillotine during their Revolution for this end and many nations banned the bloodier methods. The United States Constitution prohibits all ‘cruel and unusual punishment.’ The death penalty by ruling does not fall into this category so long as the execution methods remain humane. Most executions in the United States are by lethal injection though other methods are legal and have been used in recent years, including the electric chair, gas chambers, hanging and firing squad.
Other exceptions have been added to the system in recent years to exempt the mentally handicapped from receiving the death penalty in 2002. In 2005 the Supreme Court also abolished all capital sentences for juveniles. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, 22 juveniles had been executed since the lift of the moratorium in 1976 though the 1990 U.N. human rights treaty, Convention on the Rights of the Child, put an international ban on the death penalty for juveniles (under 18). Only two nations failed to sign the document- Somalia and the United States.
These are some of the facts about the death penalty in America today but why have we continued with this practice? Why does capital punishment continue in the United States when it has been abolished in nearly every other Western nation? Some of the common rhetoric for supporting the death penalty is that first, it serves as a deterrent for future murderers. This is not corroborated by the criminological community. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, 88% of experts rejected the notion of the death penalty as a deterrent to murder. This is primarily due to the disbelief by criminals that they will actually be caught. For example, the southern states of the U.S. have the highest national murder rates but account for 80% of the nation’s executions. Second, there is in an argument that the death penalty is a cheaper option than keeping a prisoner on a life sentence. This argument is false. The average price tag on a death penalty case is 70% more than a ‘comparable non-capital case.’ In Texas, capital cases cost about $2.5 million which is more than it would cost for the same prisoner to serve a 40-year life sentence. These ‘hidden costs’ are in the multiple appeals courts’ costs incurred in capital cases, the years of incarceration on death row as well as the actual execution.
As one can see the logistical arguments for the death penalty often fall short. The fact is that the death penalty in the United States is more of an emotional issue. The most common justification is simply that it is the just desert of a murderer is that he also be murdered. It is a timeless sentiment of retribution- that an ‘eye for an eye’ is the just course. Kantian theory is in line with this thought. Kantian ethics revolve around the idea of the Categorical Imperative which is the idea that morality of any maxim or action can be evaluated on its ability to be applied on a universal level. Kant is a promoter of retributivism. This theory is difficult to pinpoint and very case-dependent but overall it is the idea of concretely linking punishment with moral violations. Kant uses the ‘principle of equality’ in relation to punishment. He does not, like a Utilitarian, take into account the overall general happiness or unhappiness of the majority in decisions of punishment instead he seeks punishment for every crime that gives the criminal the just desert of their crime. Society has a moral obligation to inflict this retaliation upon them.
There are several solid arguments against Kant’s theory. First, the idea of identical retaliation is currently only used for murderers. We do not rape rapists or kidnap a kidnapper and Kant surely would not advocate that we did for it strips the criminal of their humanity. Some argue that capital punishment also does this and is in fact a worse affliction that the original murder and therefore unfair retribution. The French philosopher Albert Camus was an active critic of the death penalty and expressed the sentiment of unfair retribution eloquently in his book, Reflections on the Guillotine (1959), writing:
But what is capital punishment if not the most premeditated of murders, to which no criminal act, no matter how calculated, can be compared? If there were to be a real equivalence, the death penalty would have to be pronounced upon a criminal who had forewarned his victim of the very moment he would put him to a horrible death, and who, from that time on, had kept him confined at his own discretion for a period of months. It is not in private life that one meets such monsters.
Philosophy is functioning on a purely theoretical basis in terms of capital punishment. One can debate indefinitely the morality of the death penalty but the reality is that there are too many problems with the system to administer these abstract ideas. Kantian theory makes several assumptions that do not mesh well with the current state of affairs in the U.S. system. The first is that the murderer in question is indeed guilty. In the past decade there has been an average of 5 exonerations per year based on evidence of the accused’s innocence. These men spent years on death row before their release for committing no crime whatsoever. Is this not criminal in itself and who should be punished but the state for incarcerating someone without spending the money to have DNA or other expensive tests done to categorically prove their guilt?
The second assumption is that capital punishment is evenly distributed. This is the most troubling problem in the United States. Kant is talking about applying an equal punishment for every crime but in today’s system factors such as the race of the victim and the location of the crime play a much larger role in the fate of the murderer than the crime he committed. In its current form the death penalty is not administered in any kind of fair or logical way. For example, Texas carries out fully 1/3 of all executions in the United States. A criminal might commit a heinous crime next door in Oklahoma but suffer none of the consequences of a similar crime 20 miles away in Texas. The question of race is also undeniable. A 1998 report revealed a pattern of race-victim or race-defendant discrimination in 96% of cases. The racism generally revolves around the race of the victim with criminals being 4 times more likely to receive a capital sentence if the victim was white over any other race.
In conclusion, Kant’s theory does not stand up in reality. It is almost impossible to concoct a perfectly equal punishment for every crime. Capital punishment is a painful process of years of incarceration and dread and this pushes it beyond the bounds of the original crime. The current broken system of capital punishment in the United States also makes the philosophical consideration of its ethical validity a moot point. With such uneven distribution of the punishment by race and location, not every criminal is subject to the same considerations. It would be better for the United States to let go of the emotional argument of a life for a life and follow in the footsteps of the rest of the modern world on the path towards a system of justice that focuses on rehabilitation rather than retribution.
“Abolish the Death Penalty.” Amnesty International . Web. 19 Mar. 2012.
Camus, Albert. Reflections on the Guillotine; an Essay on Capital Punishment. Michigan City, IN: Fridtjof-Karla Publications, 1959. Print.
“Death Penalty Information Center: Facts About the Death Penalty.” Deathpenaltyinfo.org . DPIC, 23 Mar. 2012. Web. 19 Mar. 2012.
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This essay about the ethical dilemmas presented in the “Death Note” series examines the implications of power and surveillance in the modern age. It compares Light Yagami’s use of the Death Note to eliminate criminals with contemporary surveillance technologies, highlighting the dangers of unchecked power and the potential for misuse. The essay contrasts Light’s vigilante justice with L’s commitment to due process, reflecting current debates on privacy and security. It also explores themes of identity, punishment, and retribution, suggesting that “Death Note” serves as a profound commentary on the ethical complexities of power dynamics in today’s digital society.
How it works
The “Death Note” series, a Japanese manga and anime phenomenon created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, stands as a narrative powerhouse that provokes deep contemplation on the ethical implications of power and justice. Central to its story is Light Yagami, a high school student who stumbles upon a supernatural notebook granting him the power to kill anyone whose name he writes in it. This extraordinary premise is not just a fictional thrill ride but also a profound commentary on contemporary issues of surveillance and control in the digital age.
Imagine Light Yagami in the context of today’s world, where data is the new currency, and surveillance technology is ubiquitous. The “Death Note” becomes a metaphor for modern-day surveillance tools, raising questions about privacy, ethical governance, and the power dynamics between the watched and the watchers.
Light Yagami’s journey begins with a seemingly noble intent: to rid the world of criminals and create a utopian society. By assuming the alias “Kira,” he embarks on a mission to eliminate those he deems unworthy of life. This mirrors the intentions behind many modern surveillance programs designed to enhance security and prevent crime. Governments and corporations argue that increased surveillance can lead to safer societies, much like Light believes his actions will usher in a new era of peace.
However, the story of “Death Note” reveals the slippery slope of such power. Light’s transformation from an idealistic student to a megalomaniacal figure underscores the corrupting influence of absolute power. The gradual shift from targeting criminals to eliminating anyone who poses a threat to his authority echoes concerns about the misuse of surveillance data. In our world, where data breaches and unauthorized data use are increasingly common, the series serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power.
The ethical questions surrounding justice are another central theme of “Death Note.” Light’s version of justice is swift and merciless, reflecting a utilitarian approach where the ends justify the means. This raises significant ethical concerns about due process and the right to life. Is it ever justifiable for an individual—or an entity—to take the law into their own hands? This question is especially pertinent in today’s society, where artificial intelligence and surveillance technologies can potentially bypass traditional legal systems.
Contrasting Light’s vigilante justice is the character of L, the enigmatic detective determined to stop Kira. L represents a more traditional view of justice, one that values due process and the rule of law. His relentless pursuit of Kira highlights the tension between these two philosophies. In modern terms, this can be seen as a debate between privacy advocates and proponents of surveillance. While some argue that surveillance is necessary for security, others warn of the loss of personal freedoms and the potential for abuse.
The intellectual battle between Light and L is a microcosm of the larger ethical conflict at play. Light’s superior intellect and strategic mind clash with L’s deductive reasoning and commitment to justice. This dynamic not only drives the narrative but also serves as a platform for exploring deeper ethical questions. The series forces viewers to consider the moral implications of surveillance and the broader societal consequences of such power.
Identity and its fluidity are also explored in “Death Note.” Light’s dual existence as a brilliant student and a feared vigilante reflects the dual nature of online identities in the digital age. Just as Light maintains a public persona while hiding his true intentions, individuals today curate their online identities, often presenting a facade that differs from their private selves. This duality is further explored through characters like Misa Amane, who becomes a fervent supporter of Kira while grappling with her own moral dilemmas. The series suggests that identity is not fixed but rather shaped by choices and circumstances.
The supernatural elements of “Death Note” serve as a vehicle for exploring human nature and ethical dilemmas. The Shinigami, or death gods, who provide the Death Note, are indifferent observers, highlighting the uniquely human capacity for moral reasoning. Their detachment contrasts sharply with the intense ethical debates among human characters, emphasizing the weight of ethical decision-making.
The series also raises questions about punishment and retribution. Light’s use of the Death Note to dispense what he views as justice can be seen as a form of extrajudicial punishment, echoing modern concerns about the ethics of surveillance and capital punishment. As Light’s methods become increasingly ruthless, the line between justice and vengeance blurs. This ambiguity prompts viewers to reflect on the ethical implications of such power and the potential for abuse.
“Death Note” thus serves as a rich narrative for exploring contemporary issues of power, surveillance, and justice. Light Yagami’s descent into tyranny is a cautionary tale about the corrupting influence of power, while the intellectual and moral battles between characters underscore the importance of ethical principles in guiding human actions. In an age where surveillance technology is pervasive and data privacy is a growing concern, “Death Note” remains a timeless and thought-provoking work that invites reflection on our own beliefs about morality and justice.
Ultimately, the series challenges us to consider the ethical ramifications of surveillance and the nature of justice. It suggests that while technology can offer solutions to societal problems, it also poses significant ethical dilemmas that must be carefully navigated. “Death Note” is more than just a story about a supernatural notebook; it is a profound commentary on the power dynamics of our digital age and the moral complexities of wielding such power.
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Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell are squabbling over who gets to decide when to execute Aaron Gunches.
And the question the Arizona Supreme Court will have to decide is which of them represents “the state of Arizona.”
The attorney general filed legal papers this week asking the justices to ignore the request by the Maricopa County attorney to schedule a hearing to get a warrant of execution. Put simply, Mayes is telling the judge that while Mitchell’s office did prosecute Gunches, her purview ended when he was sent off to death row.
“Thus, the authority to request a warrant of execution ... rests exclusively with the attorney general,” she told the court.
But more than the future of Gunches is at stake here. There is still the open question of whether the state will ever resume executions after Mayes, shortly after taking office in January 2023, told the justices she won’t seek new warrants, at least for the time being.
Specifically, the attorney general said she is waiting for the findings of the Death Penalty Independent Review commissioner named at the same time by Gov. Katie Hobbs, also new to her office.
That report, however, may not be done until the end of this year. And, depending on the findings, it could lead to the conclusion that there is no acceptable way to put inmates to death.
That commissioner is tasked with conducting a full review of the process, ranging from how and where the state gets its execution chemicals to transparency and media access and the procedures and protocols used by the Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry used to put condemned inmates to death, including the training of those prison officials involved.
Arizona resumed executions in 2022 after an eight-year pause following the botched procedure when Joseph Wood was given 15 doses of a two-drug combination over two hours. Three inmates were put to death in 2022.
Hobbs, however, said the process has remained plagued by questions.
“Recent executions have been embroiled in controversy,” she said in appointing retired Judge David Duncan. That included reports that prison employees had repeated problems in placing the intravenous line into the veins of the condemned men.
“The death penalty is a controversial issue to begin with,” the governor continued. “We just want to make sure the practices are sound and that we don’t end up with botched executions like we’ve seen recently.”
Hobbs made it clear at the time that none of this means the state will never resume executions of the 107 men and three women on “death row,” now up to 109 and three.
“That is not up to me,” she said. “It is up to the attorney general.”
“We just want to review the practices and make sure that if we are conducting executions that they’re done as humanely and transparently and as consistently with the law as possible,” Hobbs said at the time.
But the governor has repeatedly refused to divulge her own beliefs on the death penalty, saying they are not relevant.
In fact, the governor has no role at all in deciding who does or does not get executed.
It is solely up to the attorney general to ask the Arizona Supreme Court for the necessary warrant to execute someone once all appeals have been exhausted. And unlike some states, the governor here cannot unilaterally pardon someone or commute a sentence without first getting a recommendation to do so from the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency.
All that leads to the current dust-up.
Gnches pleaded guilty to first degree murder and kidnapping in the 2002 death of Ted Price, his girlfriend’s ex husband.
His convictions were affirmed but the death sentence was thrown out. A new jury, however, reinstated the death penalty.
Gunches waived his right to post-conviction review and in November 2022 filed a motion on his own behalf seeking an execution warrant. That was joined the following month by then-Attorney General Mark Brnovich.
But Gunches withdrew that request in January 2023 and Mayes sought to withdraw the warrant.
The high court refused. Only thing is, the warrant — which has a fixed time limit — expired before the execution was carried out. And Mayes has refused to seek a new one.
Mitchell last month asked the Supreme Court to issue a new warrant. And now Mayes telling the justices to ignore her request.
What it all comes down to, the attorney general said, is that it is her office that represents the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry which has legal custody of Gunches and represents the state in all post-conviction proceedings in cases of capital punishment.
“Maricopa County Attorney’s Office does not represent the state, is not a party to this case, and is not authorized to seek a warrant of execution,” she said. And, legal authority aside, Mayes said having Mitchell’s office involved “would invite chaos into legal proceedings before this court and others in the capital context, and beyond.”
Mitchell, for her part, said there are other things to consider like the Victims’ Bill of Rights which is part of the Arizona Constitution.
One of the provisions says that victims are entitled “to a speedy trial or disposition and final conclusion of the case after the conviction and sentence.” And the Karen Price, Ted’s sister, as well as Bittney Kay, his daughter, filed suit to allow the execution to proceed.
That lawsuit went nowhere as a trial judge said he was helpless to provide any immediate relief as the death warrant was expiring.
Mitchell also noted that state law directs prosecutors like those in her office to assist victims in enforcing their rights. And she disputes Mayes’ contention that only the Attorney General’s Office has authority in this area.
The next move in Gunches’ cases is up to the justices. But other, broader issues remain.
Duncan, in his most recent interim report obtained by Capitol Media Services, said he already has identified problems with conducting executions “particularly in the areas of the involvement of the appropriate personnel and training..
The judge said he saw nothing but “good faith and well-intentioned efforts” by those involved.
“But due in good part to the hobbling effect of the absence of transparency, these efforts fell short,” he wrote.
And then then there is what happens when putting inmates to death.
“Many of the problems which have plagued past executions were associated with the unavailability of preferred drugs used for lethal injections,” Duncan said. That goes to Hobbs’ direction to him to examine is how the state has been acquiring the drugs it has been using to put people to death.
Corrections officials have been less than transparent — and at least once in violation of federal regulations — in their practices.
In 2015, Arizona ordered 1,000 vials of sodium thiopental, a muscle relaxant used in the execution process, from a supplier in India. That came after a domestic manufacturer refused to sell it for executions.
That decision to order the drugs came despite warning from the federal Food and Drug Administration that buying the drug from India-based Harris Pharma would be illegal. That followed a 2012 decision by a federal judge, ruling in a lawsuit brought by inmates, requiring the federal agency to block importation of the drug as unapproved.
It ended up with Customs and Border Protection seizing the drugs at Sky Harbor International Airport. And in 2017 the FDA refused a request by Arizona to release them.
Capitol Media Services subsequently obtained a heavily redacted document showing the state spent $1.5 million in 2020 to buy 1,000 vials of pentobarbital sodium salt and had it shipped to the Department of Corrections in “unmarked jars and boxes.”
State officials have repeatedly declined to identify where they have attempted to purchase supplies of lethal chemicals. And the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Arizonans have no right to know where the state obtains its drugs to execute its inmates.
Hobbs said that Duncan is charged not only with finding out exactly how the state is getting the drugs it needs but also make that information publicly available.
Corrections officials have argued in the past that companies will not sell drugs to the state that have other useful purposes, like as an anesthetic or sedative, if their products are publicly linked to putting people to death. Hobbs said none of that is an excuse for hiding the information from taxpayers.
“If the state of Arizona is executing people in the name of Arizonans, Arizonans deserve transparency around that process,” she said.
In seeking a review, Hobbs acknowledged she is examining only a portion of the process, covering the time from when a person is sentenced to death to when the penalty is carried out.
Not part of the study is the larger question of whether the death penalty is imposed fairly. That includes differences in sentences depending on things like the race of the defendant and the financial ability to hire the best available counsel.
Of the 112 inmates who have been sentenced to death, 64 are classified as Caucasian, 22 Mexican Americans, 17 Black inmates, with four who are Native American, three Asians and two who are simply listed as “other.”
“That’s certainly a conversation worth having,” Hobbs said, saying it goes beyond the scope of the order she issued Friday. But the governor said at the time she is “certainly would be willing to entertain further action on the broader issue of the whole process.”
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Future horizons: the potential role of artificial intelligence in cardiology.
1.1. terminology, 1.1.1. machine learning (ml), 1.1.2. deep learning (dl), 1.1.3. artificial neural networks (anns), 1.1.4. convolutional neural networks (cnns), 2. materials and methods, 3.1. electrocardiography (ecg), 3.1.1. echocardiography.
3.1.3. cardiac computed angiography, 3.1.4. computed tomography, 3.1.5. cardiac mri, 4. discussions, 4.1. challenges in ai implementation, 4.2. limitations, 5. conclusions, author contributions, institutional review board statement, informed consent statement, data availability statement, conflicts of interest.
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Paraclinical Investigation | Author | Year of Study | Application |
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Herman R. [ ] | 2024 | Detection of occlusion myocardial infarction. | |
Nogimori Y. [ ] | 2024 | ECG-derived CNN is a novel marker of HF in children with different prognostic potential from BNP. | |
Hillis J. [ ] | 2024 | Identification of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy on a 12 lead ECG. Classification of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cardiac amyloidosis, and echocardiographic LVH. Detection of cardiac amyloidosis. | |
Haimovich J. [ ] | 2023 | ||
Harmon D. [ ] | 2023 | ||
Butler L. [ ] | 2023 | Early Heart Failure prediction using ECG-AI models. | |
Awasthi S. [ ] | 2023 | Assessing the risk stratification of CAD. | |
Lee Y. [ ] | 2023 | ||
Valente Silva B. [ ] | 2023 | Diagnosis of Acute Pulmonary Embolism. | |
Sau A. [ ] | 2023 | Distinguish AVRT from AVNRT. | |
Shimojo M. [ ] | 2024 | Identification of the origin of outflow tract ventricular arrhythmia. | |
Shiokawa N [ ] | 2024 | Automatic measurements of transthoracic echocardiography. | |
Sveric K. [ ] | 2024 | Calculation of left ventricular ejection fraction. | |
Slivnick J. [ ] | 2024 | Detection of Regional Wall Motion Abnormalities. | |
Kampaktsis P. [ ] | 2024 | Quantification of the right ventricle. | |
Murayama M [ ] | 2024 | Measuring the right ventricle ejection fraction. | |
Hsia B. [ ] | 2023 | Assessing the parameters of right ventricular dysfunction. | |
Anand V. [ ] | 2024 | Diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension. | |
Oikonomu E. [ ] | 2024 | A video-based biomarker for detection of severe aortic stenosis. | |
Krinsha H. [ ] | 2023 | Assessment of aortic stenosis. | |
Guo Y. [ ] | 2023 | Detection of coronary artery disease. | |
Molenaar M. [ ] | 2024 | Identifying high-risk chronic coronary syndrome patients. | |
Lu N. [ ] | 2024 | Detection of atrial fibrillation on echocardiography without ECG. | |
Brown K. [ ] | 2024 | Detecting rheumatic heart disease. | |
Steffner K. [ ] | 2024 | Identification of standardized Transesophageal Echocardiography views. | |
In Kim Y. [ ] | 2024 | Quantitative assessment of coronary lesions. | |
Rinehart S. [ ] | 2024 | Plaque quantification. | |
Omori H. [ ] | 2023 | Morphology of coronary plaque. | |
Toggweiler S. [ ] | 2024 | Planning of transcatheter aortic valve replacements. | |
Salehi M. [ ] | 2024 | Automated segmentation of both ventricles on CMR by an automatic tool. | |
Ghanbari F. [ ] | 2023 | Prediction of major arrhythmic events by analyzing cardiac MRI scar. |
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Patrascanu, O.S.; Tutunaru, D.; Musat, C.L.; Dragostin, O.M.; Fulga, A.; Nechita, L.; Ciubara, A.B.; Piraianu, A.I.; Stamate, E.; Poalelungi, D.G.; et al. Future Horizons: The Potential Role of Artificial Intelligence in Cardiology. J. Pers. Med. 2024 , 14 , 656. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14060656
Patrascanu OS, Tutunaru D, Musat CL, Dragostin OM, Fulga A, Nechita L, Ciubara AB, Piraianu AI, Stamate E, Poalelungi DG, et al. Future Horizons: The Potential Role of Artificial Intelligence in Cardiology. Journal of Personalized Medicine . 2024; 14(6):656. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14060656
Patrascanu, Octavian Stefan, Dana Tutunaru, Carmina Liana Musat, Oana Maria Dragostin, Ana Fulga, Luiza Nechita, Alexandru Bogdan Ciubara, Alin Ionut Piraianu, Elena Stamate, Diana Gina Poalelungi, and et al. 2024. "Future Horizons: The Potential Role of Artificial Intelligence in Cardiology" Journal of Personalized Medicine 14, no. 6: 656. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14060656
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The death penalty is inhumane and violates the fundamental right to life. Physician involvement enables this continuing abuse of human rights and undermines the four pillars of medical ethics—beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice. Universal condemnation of the death penalty, by physicians and medical associations alike, is an ...
The legality of the death penalty remains one of the most contentious issues in modern society. As a form of capital punishment, it is intended to serve as the ultimate deterrent against heinous crimes such as murder and terrorism. Proponents argue that the death penalty delivers justice, provides closure to victims' families, and deters ...
The death penalty offers the tragic illusion that we can defend life by taking life. We are painfully aware of the increased rate of executions in many states. Since the death penalty was reinstituted in 1976, more than 500 executions have taken place, while there have been seventy-four death-row reversals late in the process.
Capital punishment - Arguments, Pros/Cons: Capital punishment has long engendered considerable debate about both its morality and its effect on criminal behaviour. Contemporary arguments for and against capital punishment fall under three general headings: moral, utilitarian, and practical. Supporters of the death penalty believe that those who commit murder, because they have taken the life ...
Capital punishment is often defended on the grounds that society has a moral obligation to protect the safety and welfare of its citizens. Murderers threaten this safety and welfare. Only by putting murderers to death can society ensure that convicted killers do not kill again. Second, those favoring capital punishment contend that society ...
Over the past year the death penalty has again come into focus as a major public policy and political issue, catalyzed by several high-profile events.. The botched execution of convicted murderer and rapist Clayton Lockett in Oklahoma in 2014 was seen as a potential turning point in the debate, bringing increased attention to the mechanisms by which persons are executed.
Get a custom Research Paper on Ethics of Death Penalty. Most states and justice systems employ the death penalty as punishment for crimes that are considered to be serious. Crimes such as murder, treason and most recently terrorism attract the death penalty. Many ethical issues are raised about the death penalty (Mosser, 2010), and this paper ...
The death penalty in the United States has been under attack for decades now. Throughout its history, state governments have adopted varying modes of execution, justifying each on the basis that it provided a more civilised and humane method of putting inmates to death (Sarat, 2016).At the end of the nineteenth century, execution by hanging was replaced with the electric chair, making the ...
None of this is true. The condemned must do this, and no one is there for them. Nothing that is said or done by others in the death house matters in any material way; nothing changes the inexorable killing routine. Words and gestures of ersatz humanity are but a gloss over the workings of a modern-day charnel house.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the death penalty on the families of the executed, families of the murder victim and the executed or murderer. This paper is an in-depth analysis of various facts and evidence focusing on the death penalty in the USA. Special attention is paid to the 31 states whose laws permit death ...
From that time until 1 November 1987,265 death sentences or resentences have been meted out, all for the crime of murder. One of the condemned, Chol Soo Lee, had his death sentence reversed and was later acquitted of the crime for which he was sent to prison. Four others committed suicide on death row.
Capital Punishment. Capital punishment, or "the death penalty," is an institutionalized practice designed to result in deliberately executing persons in response to actual or supposed misconduct and following an authorized, rule-governed process to conclude that the person is responsible for violating norms that warrant execution.
Japan uses the death penalty sparingly, executing approximately 3 prisoners per year. ... From an ethical point of view this is the totally consequentialist argument that if executing a few people ...
Arbitrariness & Discrimination. The death penalty is applied unfairly and should not be used. The Death Penalty Information Center is a non-profit organization serving the media and the public with analysis and information about capital punishment.….
The Journal of Practical Ethics is an open access journal in moral and political philosophy ... the death penalty would not have been carried out. The death penalty logically results in the convict's not being conscious of being executed, ... I am writing this essay at my computer. If, however, there were nerve gas in the air, or I were ...
The Death Penalty. 28 July 2019 ~ 1000-Word Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology. Author: Benjamin S. Yost. Category: Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy. Word Count: 992. The death penalty—executing criminals, usually murderers—is more controversial than imprisonment because it inflicts a more significant injury, perhaps the most ...
The gap between death penalty states and non-death penalty states rose considerably from 4 per cent difference in 1990 to 25 per cent in 2010. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report, from Death Penalty ...
Death penalty and Ethics. Death penalty is also referred to as capital punishment. It is usually the sternest form of corporal punishment since it entails taking away the lives of the convicted offenders by the law enforcement officers. It entails the compulsory execution of a criminal offender as a form of punishment for committing crimes that ...
The death penalty has been a topic of debate for decades and is currently implemented across the globe. Supporters of the death penalty believe it acts as a deterrence to heinous crimes, such as murder, while opponents argue that it is morally wrong and ineffective in preventing crime.
Essay examples. "More than 4,500 people have been executed in the United States since 1930. There is no way of knowing how many have been executed in U.S. history because executions were often local affairs, with no central agency keeping track of them (Maloney, 1999)." Over 4,500 people were executed and this doesn't even include the ...
In 1767, Cesare Beccaria challenged the idea of death penalty in his essay, On Crimes and Punishment, which influenced the whole world, including the American intellectuals. As a result, the abolitionist movement of ... Therefore, to decide whether death penalty is ethical or not, we must use the information in modern society.
One option is capital punishment, or the death penalty. This allows states to decide on a case by case basis whether to punish a crime with a life sentence or execution. This paper will explore the ethical implications of capital punishment and evaluate its place in a modern society. It will present both Kant's retributive theory and ...
The death penalty, as a form of punishment, is given to those who commit crimes deemed by society and government as deserving the infliction of death. Termed "death penalty", "death sentence", and "execution", the issue is not a newfangled idea, rather a form of punishment that actually dates back to the ancient laws of China.
This essay about the ethical dilemmas presented in the "Death Note" series examines the implications of power and surveillance in the modern age. It compares Light Yagami's use of the Death Note to eliminate criminals with contemporary surveillance technologies, highlighting the dangers of unchecked power and the potential for misuse.
The attorney general filed legal papers this week asking the justices to ignore the request by the Maricopa County attorney to schedule a hearing to get a warrant of execution. Put simply, Mayes is telling the judge that while Mitchell's office did prosecute Gunches, her purview ended when he was sent off to death row.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of premature death and disability globally, leading to significant increases in healthcare costs and economic strains. Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a crucial technology in this context, promising to have a significant impact on the management of CVDs. A wide range of methods can be used to develop effective models for medical ...