Is it ever morally acceptable for governments to practice capital punishment (i.e., execution) of those who have been found guilty of particularly terrible crimes? If so, under what conditions is it morally acceptable, and under what conditions is it morally unacceptable?
Paper layout:
Section 1: The ethical question under investigation
State the question/dilemma you’re investigating. This can be just a sentence long.
Section 2: Empirical vs. normative aspects of the question
Write a list of the empirical questions relevant to your ethical dilemma, and then write a separate list of the normative questions relevant to your ethical dilemma. Do not answer the questions here, you’re simply just stating them.
Section 3: Empirical research
For this section answer some of the empirical questions you listed and evaluate them using good and unbiased sources. Make sure to use 5 sources and cite them (just post the links in the end, no need for any format) and make sure this section is at least 400 words long.
Section 4: Utilitarian analysis
What would a utilitarian say is the right answer to your ethical question, and why? Answer in 400-700 words. Answer this using what YOU think a utilitarian would say.
Section 5: Kantian analysis
What would a Kantian say is the right answer to your ethical question, and why? Answer in 400-700 words.
Make sure to include in your analysis both Kant’s Principle of Universalizability and Kant’s Principle of Humanity.
Section 6: Conclusion
Having surveyed relevant empirical claims, and three different ethical approaches to the question, what do you think is the right answer to the question? And has your research changed your thinking on this topic? Answer in a brief paragraph.
