The Philosophy of Death Penalty

Abstract

The death penalty debate is the most generally relevant debate, keeping in mind the situation that has been brought about by today. Death penalty is an integral part of the Indian Criminal Justice System and of many other retentionist countries. This article argues that death penalty is a philosophical issue no doubt, but it also draws inspiration from Durkheim's discussion to the impact ofpolitical organization on penal evolution. It suggests that the most serious punishment i.e., death penalty is the first to grow milder, then to disappear with the progressive weakening ofpunishment. The author has drawn the conclusion with few suggestions at the end ofthis article.