PITAL PUNISHMENT Is there a rational resolution to the capital punishment debate? Arguments on both sides create a hierarchy of various goals and principals in an effort to offer resolution. The principle of “common human dignity” appears to play a central role in determining the appropriateness of the death penalty as punishment. But because “common human dignity” cannot be precisely defined, other considerations - such as whether capital punishment is acceptable to society, whether the …showed first 75 words of 1908 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1908 total…what the Gregg decision, the Furman decision, and Van Den Haag exemplify - that while we can assess goals and principles to come up with a decision regarding capital punishment, the outcome of these foundations depends ultimately upon the weight we give each element. Unfortunately, the several goals and principles that are identified in the debate have no obvious rank order or “proper” weighting. Without this, there is no rational resolution of the controversy possible.