Year 11 - Religious education
Ethical arguments relating to the death penalty
Religion, crime and punishment
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will study ideas of crime and how people may view crime is caused. From that, they will examine different ideas of punishing crime and treating criminals focussing especially on a case study of the death penalty and ideas of forgiveness.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain different ethical arguments about the death penalty.
Key Notes
- The death penalty is banned in the UK but still used in countries like China, Iran and some US states.
- It raises key questions about justice, human rights, deterrence, and the state's right to take life.
- Ethical theories offer different views, with some focusing on justice and duty, and others on consequences and harm.
- Supporters highlight justice and deterrence; critics focus on dignity, mistakes and effectiveness
- UK opinion is divided, with more people opposing reintroduction than supporting it.
Vocabulary To Learn
- death penalty: capital punishment; the execution of a criminal which is sanctioned by the state
- deterrence: aim of punishment; the threat of punishment as a way to put a person off committing crime (e.g. knowing they could go to prison if they steal)
- justice: fairness; working to fix an unfair situation
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The death penalty is a good deterrence to crime.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The death penalty is banned in the UK but still used in countries like China, Iran and some US states. It raises key questions about justice, human rights, deterrence, and the state's right to take life.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'death penalty'
capital punishment; the execution of a criminal which is sanctioned by the state.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: The death penalty is a good deterrence to crime. Correction: This is widely debated. Many studies show no clear link between the death penalty and lower crime rates, so deterrence cannot be assumed as a justification.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Different religious views about corporal punishment Study Guide
- Different religious views about forgiveness Study Guide
- Different religious views about the death penalty Study Guide
- Good and evil intentions Study Guide
- Opposition to an unjust law Study Guide
- Reasons for crime: greed and hate Study Guide
- Reasons for crime: mental illness and addiction Study Guide
- Reasons for crime: poverty and upbringing Study Guide
- The aims of punishment Study Guide
- The concept of forgiveness Study Guide
- The treatment of criminals: corporal punishment Study Guide
- The treatment of criminals: prison and community service Study Guide
- Views about different types of crime Study Guide
- Views about people who commit crime Study Guide
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