Death Penalty - Albert Camus

Exam 3

The Guillotine (Purpose for Argument)

Makes us reflect on the morality of the death penalty

Main Argument

The death penalty is useless and only damages society

Argument 1

We as a society don’t believe in the said value of the death penalty: They are private (out of sight and out of mind)

Argument 2

There is no proof of deterrence so shouldn’t be done on uncertainty of deterrence (opposite of VDH): Murderers aren’t rational people and won’t consider pros and cons, other emotions can overpower fear of death and emotions dimmish over time

Argument 3

Has bad consequences: Not any better than initial murder; Inflicts more pain on criminal than victim so more like revenge (Lex Talionis)