A utilitarian who wants to argue against the death penalty might be expected to say that

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Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing happiness and minimizing suffering. A utilitarian arguing against the death penalty might claim that sentencing murderers to life in prison without parole creates more net happiness in society than executing them, as it avoids the moral and ethical issues associated with taking a life, and possibly the suffering of the criminal's family, while still protecting society.

A Utilitarian Who Wants to Argue Against the Death Penalty