In a perfect utopian world, the title of this report would be an accurate statement. However, within the context of reality I must argue that in certain extreme cases murder may be necessary. Subsequently, the crime that runs rampant in various societies across the world may only be quelled by expelling individuals from interacting with the public. Jails and/or prisons may therefore appear to be substantially effective facilities for maintaining a safe boundary between specific members of society. Members whom may not follow the law and individual’s who are considered to be law abiding citizens, must be separated in an effective manner to ensure that the general public is safe from these troubled law breakers. It should be noted that in the U.S. there are currently over 2 million individuals whom are incarcerated, or separated from law-abiding members (Death Penalty Facts). While many of these individuals are non-violent in the context of the crime that they have been determined to be guilty of, some are particularly insidious. It is for these individuals that simple separation from society may not be enough to keep members of the public safe. In some cases it may be necessary to remove these individuals in a controlled manner, by effectively taking their life. This may be referred to as ‘Capital Punishment’. Additionally, this is the only case where most sane people will strongly argue that murder is justified. This report will therefore highlight the observations of why murder may be the right thing to do, within the context of these extreme cases.
During 2010, the U.S. was documented to have executed 39 individuals (Death Penalty Facts). Additionally, capital punishment is legal within 32 of the 50 states that makeup America. Lethal injection is typically the most popular mode of delivery for this punishment. At this point it becomes clear why there is so much controversy surrounding capital punishment and murder in general. While most sane persons will agree that murder is wrong, it becomes more difficult to defend this statement when deciding weather or not a particularly dangerous individual must be removed from society, utilizing the most extreme method. In these cases, polling indicates that greater than 2/3 of Americans support the application of capital punishment (Pro Death Penalty). The observation of cases where a convicted criminal has; (1) Murdered an Adult, (2) Committed Serious Sexual Abuse, (3) Murdered a Child, (4) Seriously Sexually Abused A Child, (5) Kidnaped a Child and, (6) Murdered While in Prison, are most likely to result in delivery of capital punishment (Pro Death Penalty). Everyday citizens are more likely to support the controlled murder of convicted criminals, when an individual has performed one or more of the 6 previously mentioned crimes.
Although the determination of weather murder is right or wrong is impossible to prove from an emotional perspective, there are ways to subjectively make a final decision. From a legal perspective, murder through capital punishment is not wrong. The federal constitution delegates the responsibility of this punishment to most states, which choose to maintain reservation to follow through with this power. Within particular states that include; Alaska and Hawaii, murder is always wrong and always illegal. However, within states like Florida and Texas murder is right when approved by the appropriate state and/or federal legislative bodies. Until the citizens or leaders of states choose to voluntarily abolish or strike text, which gives states the power to deliver the instructions of capital punishment, murder will always be right. The attempt to remove capital punishment within certain sates (i.e. Texas) will typically result in negative political consequences for individuals and/or organized groups that attempt to push this agenda. Within these 39 states, murder is an absolute necessity for dealing with the individuals whom threaten the positive way of life, of good law abiding citizens (Sunstien, 2005).
Now that this report has observed the legitimacy of murder through capital punishment from a legal and emotional perspective, the scientist’s perspective should be considered. This point-of-view also appears to substantiate the legitimacy of murder not just in capital punishment but also in virtually any case. A simple observation of the principles of Darwin’s “Survival of the Fittest” (Creation Tips), may function to support murder in any case. If one determines that the way to exert the power or dominance of their genes over another individual, is to take the life of that individual then they may do so. From an evolutionary perspective one may murder an individual to inhibit that individual from reproducing his/her genes. Additionally, one may murder an individual to obtain a desired niche (Creation Tips). This purely scientific example should only apply to the most primitive of animals and should not be considered within the scope of determining weather murder is right or wrong, today. However, to maintain fairness multiple points of view should always be shared.
In conclusion, it is difficult to determine weather murder is right or wrong, and one may choose to argue either side. If one believes that particularly dangerous individuals must be removed from society, then he/she would likely support murder in the context of capital punishment. As humans evolve to live in greater harmony, it should be noted that murder is very likely to always be wrong, in both the eyes of man and the law. Trends in the U.S. appear to increasingly favor the delivery of life-sentences and the reduction of death sentences. Furthermore, states are increasingly struggling to battle interest groups whom intend to strike all legal precedent for capital punishment. Once this occurs, murder will be wrong no matter what.
- “Death Penalty: Facts.” Death Penalty. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2014.
- Pro-death penalty.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2014.
- Sunstein, Cass R., and Adrian Vermeule. “Is Capital Punishment Morally Required? The Relevance of Life-Life Tradeoffs.” SSRN Electronic Journal (2005): n. pag. Print.
- “How evolution creates tyrants.” Creation Tips on the Bible, God, Christianity. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 June 2014.
