Which of the following best summarizes van den Haag's main conclusion about deterrence and the death penalty?
A) The death penalty likely does deter crime, but this is not essential to its moral permissibility.
B) The death penalty likely does not deter crime, but this is essential to its moral permissibility.
C) The death penalty does deter crime and this is ultimately essential to its moral permissibility.
D) The death penalty is essential to keeping a criminal from reoffending, which is a form of deterrence.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Van den Haag argues that while the death penalty likely serves as a deterrent to crime, its capacity to deter is not the fundamental reason it is morally permissible. Instead, he emphasizes retributive justice or the idea that the death penalty is morally justified as a proportionate response to certain severe crimes, irrespective of its deterrent effect.

Which of the Following Best Summarizes Van Den Haag's Main