Deck 92: Burton Leiser: The Death Penalty Is Permissible

Question 1

Leiser rejects the idea that the death penalty constitutes a denial of the criminal's worth and dignity. Just the reverse, argues Leiser. He argues that the death penalty, based on retributivism, actually affirms the offender's dignity and worth because it treats him or her as a fully responsible person. In the last part of the essay Leiser discusses the limits of the death penalty.
-According to Leiser, only the most heinous offenses against the state and against individual persons seem to deserve

A) leniency.
B) imprisonment.
C) the ultimate penalty.
D) mercy.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Leiser rejects the idea that the death penalty constitutes a denial of the criminal's worth and dignity. Just the reverse, argues Leiser. He argues that the death penalty, based on retributivism, actually affirms the offender's dignity and worth because it treats him or her as a fully responsible person. In the last part of the essay Leiser discusses the limits of the death penalty.
-According to Leiser, on retributive grounds, terrorists should be subject to

A) life in prison.
B) torture.
C) cruel and unusual punishment.
D) the death penalty.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Leiser rejects the idea that the death penalty constitutes a denial of the criminal's worth and dignity. Just the reverse, argues Leiser. He argues that the death penalty, based on retributivism, actually affirms the offender's dignity and worth because it treats him or her as a fully responsible person. In the last part of the essay Leiser discusses the limits of the death penalty.
-According to Leiser, if a person is so deranged as to be legally insane,

A) the death penalty is called for.
B) imprisonment is justified.
C) no punishment is appropriate.
D) any punishment is appropriate.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Leiser rejects the idea that the death penalty constitutes a denial of the criminal's worth and dignity. Just the reverse, argues Leiser. He argues that the death penalty, based on retributivism, actually affirms the offender's dignity and worth because it treats him or her as a fully responsible person. In the last part of the essay Leiser discusses the limits of the death penalty.
-According to Leiser, capital punishment is

A) cruel and unusual punishment.
B) sometimes justified.
C) an affront to human dignity.
D) inconsistent with contemporary moral standards.

Question 5

Leiser rejects the idea that the death penalty constitutes a denial of the criminal's worth and dignity. Just the reverse, argues Leiser. He argues that the death penalty, based on retributivism, actually affirms the offender's dignity and worth because it treats him or her as a fully responsible person. In the last part of the essay Leiser discusses the limits of the death penalty.
-Leiser thinks that the vast majority of murders should not be regarded as capital crimes.

Question 6

Leiser rejects the idea that the death penalty constitutes a denial of the criminal's worth and dignity. Just the reverse, argues Leiser. He argues that the death penalty, based on retributivism, actually affirms the offender's dignity and worth because it treats him or her as a fully responsible person. In the last part of the essay Leiser discusses the limits of the death penalty.
-Leiser believes that the death penalty should be imposed only when it is a deterrent to crime.

Question 7

Leiser rejects the idea that the death penalty constitutes a denial of the criminal's worth and dignity. Just the reverse, argues Leiser. He argues that the death penalty, based on retributivism, actually affirms the offender's dignity and worth because it treats him or her as a fully responsible person. In the last part of the essay Leiser discusses the limits of the death penalty.
-Leiser says that no man may deliberately cause another to lose his life without some compelling justification.

Question 8

Leiser rejects the idea that the death penalty constitutes a denial of the criminal's worth and dignity. Just the reverse, argues Leiser. He argues that the death penalty, based on retributivism, actually affirms the offender's dignity and worth because it treats him or her as a fully responsible person. In the last part of the essay Leiser discusses the limits of the death penalty.
-Leiser thinks that the death penalty can actually affirm the offender's dignity and worth.

Question 9

Leiser rejects the idea that the death penalty constitutes a denial of the criminal's worth and dignity. Just the reverse, argues Leiser. He argues that the death penalty, based on retributivism, actually affirms the offender's dignity and worth because it treats him or her as a fully responsible person. In the last part of the essay Leiser discusses the limits of the death penalty.
-Leiser says that the death penalty is "cruel and unusual."

Question 10

Leiser rejects the idea that the death penalty constitutes a denial of the criminal's worth and dignity. Just the reverse, argues Leiser. He argues that the death penalty, based on retributivism, actually affirms the offender's dignity and worth because it treats him or her as a fully responsible person. In the last part of the essay Leiser discusses the limits of the death penalty.
-Leiser thinks the death penalty constitutes a denial of the criminal's worth and dignity.

Question 11

Leiser rejects the idea that the death penalty constitutes a denial of the criminal's worth and dignity. Just the reverse, argues Leiser. He argues that the death penalty, based on retributivism, actually affirms the offender's dignity and worth because it treats him or her as a fully responsible person. In the last part of the essay Leiser discusses the limits of the death penalty.
-Leiser admits that retributive justice amounts to revenge.

Question 12

Leiser rejects the idea that the death penalty constitutes a denial of the criminal's worth and dignity. Just the reverse, argues Leiser. He argues that the death penalty, based on retributivism, actually affirms the offender's dignity and worth because it treats him or her as a fully responsible person. In the last part of the essay Leiser discusses the limits of the death penalty.
-Leiser declares that only the most heinous offenses against the state and against individual persons seem to deserve the ultimate penalty.

Question 13

Leiser rejects the idea that the death penalty constitutes a denial of the criminal's worth and dignity. Just the reverse, argues Leiser. He argues that the death penalty, based on retributivism, actually affirms the offender's dignity and worth because it treats him or her as a fully responsible person. In the last part of the essay Leiser discusses the limits of the death penalty.
-Leiser concludes that any murder (as opposed to a mere homicide) committed in a particularly vile, wanton, or malicious way ought to be punishable by death.

Question 14

Leiser rejects the idea that the death penalty constitutes a denial of the criminal's worth and dignity. Just the reverse, argues Leiser. He argues that the death penalty, based on retributivism, actually affirms the offender's dignity and worth because it treats him or her as a fully responsible person. In the last part of the essay Leiser discusses the limits of the death penalty.
-Leiser contends that terrorists should not be subject to the death penalty.

Question 15

Leiser rejects the idea that the death penalty constitutes a denial of the criminal's worth and dignity. Just the reverse, argues Leiser. He argues that the death penalty, based on retributivism, actually affirms the offender's dignity and worth because it treats him or her as a fully responsible person. In the last part of the essay Leiser discusses the limits of the death penalty.
-Leiser believes that murder committed by a person who is serving a life sentence ought to be punishable by death.