Explain both the retributivist theory of punishment (RTP) and the utilitarian theory of punishment (UTP).

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Essay 3 Philosophy 324, Fall 2018

 

You must write a 1500-2000 word paper in which you:

1. Explain both the retributivist theory of punishment (RTP) and the utilitarian theory of punishment (UTP).

2. Argue in favor of one of the above theories of punishment (RTP or UTP).

3. From the perspective of the theory you defend, argue either for or against the death penalty.

In addition to convincing answers to 1-3 above, your paper should provide the following exposition: • Include a brief introduction where you (i) briefly explain what you’ll cover in the paper, and (ii) clearly state the theses for which you’ll argue. • The prompt requires that you explain RTP and UTP. These are moral theories about legal punishment. In order to make this clear, you should explain what legal punishment is. • The prompt requires that you give two arguments, one concerning RTP vs UTP (#2 above), and another concerning the permissibility of the death penalty (#3 above). In order to get full credit, you must consider an objection to each argument. • When you answer #3, be sure not to forget that there is a difference between the question of justifying the death penalty in principle, and the question of justifying it in