Ethical arguments relating to the death penalty
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain different ethical arguments about the death penalty.
Key learning points
- The death penalty is banned in the UK but still used in countries like China, Iran and some US states.
- It raises key questions about justice, human rights, deterrence, and the state's right to take life.
- Ethical theories offer different views, with some focusing on justice and duty, and others on consequences and harm.
- Supporters highlight justice and deterrence; critics focus on dignity, mistakes and effectiveness
- UK opinion is divided, with more people opposing reintroduction than supporting it.
Keywords
Death penalty - capital punishment; the execution of a criminal which is sanctioned by the state
Deterrence - aim of punishment; the threat of punishment as a way to put a person off committing crime (e.g. knowing they could go to prison if they steal)
Justice - fairness; working to fix an unfair situation
Common misconception
The death penalty is a good deterrence to crime.
This is widely debated. Many studies show no clear link between the death penalty and lower crime rates, so deterrence cannot be assumed as a justification.
Teacher tip
Use real case studies and short video clips (e.g. documentaries or interviews with exonerees or victims’ families) to bring the ethical arguments to life.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these is not an aim of punishment?
Q2.How could the Old Testament teaching ‘eye for an eye’ shape people’s view of forgiveness?
Q3.The Lord’s states ‘Forgive our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us.’
Q4.Jesus told the Parable of the Lost to show Christians should always forgive.
Q5.What is one reason people may commit crimes?
Q6.What is the aim of reformation in punishment?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In which of these countries is the death penalty currently banned?
Q2.What does deterrence mean?
Q3.The most common method of execution in the United States is lethal .
Q4.Kantian focuses on whether an action is right, not just its consequences.
Q5.Which of these is an argument against the death penalty?
Q6.The death penalty is a good deterrence to crime.
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Ethical arguments relating to the death penalty, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: Ethical arguments relating to the death penalty, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Religion, crime and punishment unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.