Research paper on Capital Punishment: Examining Its Controversies and Consequences
Research proposals must include the following sections;
1) an introduction of the issue(s) at hand;
2) a review of the relevant literature;
3) a discussion of potential source(s) of data;
4) a plan for sampling and collecting the necessary data;
5) a plan to analyze the data, and;
6) a discussion of the policy implications of this research proposal. Include a citation page please.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: Capital Punishment: Examining Its Controversies and Consequences
Introduction
Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, has been a subject of intense debate and controversy for centuries. It involves the execution of an individual who has been convicted of a serious crime, usually involving murder. Proponents argue that capital punishment serves as a deterrent to crime, provides justice for the victims and their families, and ensures public safety. On the other hand, opponents argue that it violates the right to life, is prone to error, disproportionately affects marginalized communities, and lacks evidence of its deterrent effect.
This research paper aims to explore the controversies surrounding capital punishment and its consequences from various perspectives. By examining the relevant literature, analyzing potential data sources, discussing sampling and data collection methods, and outlining an approach for data analysis, this research proposal intends to shed light on the policy implications of capital punishment.
Review of Relevant Literature
Deterrence Effect: One of the key arguments in support of capital punishment is its deterrence effect on potential offenders. Numerous studies have investigated this claim, with mixed results. Researchers such as Ehrlich (1975) and Bailey (2018) have found evidence suggesting a deterrent effect, while others like Donohue and Wolfers (2006) have challenged these findings.
Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities: Critics argue that capital punishment disproportionately affects racial minorities and individuals from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Studies by Baldus et al. (1998) and Phillips (2017) have highlighted significant disparities in the application of the death penalty based on race and socioeconomic factors.
Innocence and Error: The potential for wrongful convictions and the irreversible nature of capital punishment raise concerns about innocence and error. Cases such as that of Cameron Todd Willingham and DNA exonerations have brought attention to the fallibility of the criminal justice system (Bedau & Radelet, 1987; Innocence Project, n.d.).
International Perspectives: Globally, there is a wide range of approaches towards capital punishment. Comparing different countries’ practices and policies can provide insights into its effectiveness, ethical considerations, and alternatives. Countries such as Canada, Australia, and many European nations have abolished capital punishment, while others like the United States, China, and Iran continue to use it.
Potential Sources of Data
To examine the controversies and consequences of capital punishment comprehensively, this research proposal will utilize various sources of data:
Official Records: Accessing official records such as court cases, trial transcripts, and sentencing data will provide insights into the demographics of individuals sentenced to death, the nature of crimes committed, and the legal processes involved.
Statistical Databases: Utilizing statistical databases maintained by government agencies will allow for the analysis of trends related to capital punishment, including demographics, regional disparities, and changes over time.
Surveys and Interviews: Conducting surveys among legal professionals, scholars, activists, and individuals impacted by capital punishment will provide qualitative data on perceptions, attitudes, and experiences related to the death penalty.
Comparative Studies: Analyzing existing research and reports from international organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch will offer comparative perspectives on capital punishment across different countries.
Sampling and Data Collection
To ensure a representative sample for analysis, a combination of purposive sampling and random sampling techniques will be employed. Purposive sampling will be used for surveys and interviews to select individuals with expertise or direct experience related to capital punishment. Random sampling will be applied to official records and statistical databases to ensure an unbiased representation of cases and trends.
Data collection will involve a systematic approach, including record review, survey administration, interviews, and data extraction from statistical databases. Ethical considerations will be taken into account to ensure privacy, confidentiality, and informed consent throughout the data collection process.
Data Analysis
The collected data will be analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative analysis will involve descriptive statistics to identify trends, patterns, and disparities in the application of capital punishment. Inferential statistics such as regression analysis may be employed to explore relationships between variables like race, socioeconomic status, and sentencing outcomes.
Qualitative analysis will involve thematic coding of survey responses and interview transcripts to identify recurring themes and perspectives related to capital punishment. Comparative analysis will also be conducted to examine differences in practices and policies between countries.
Policy Implications
The findings from this research proposal will have significant policy implications for the debate on capital punishment. By examining the controversies surrounding its use and understanding its consequences from multiple angles, policymakers can make more informed decisions regarding its future. These decisions may include reforms aimed at reducing racial disparities in sentencing, improving safeguards against wrongful convictions, or considering alternative approaches to addressing serious crimes.
In conclusion, this research proposal seeks to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on capital punishment by examining its controversies and consequences. Through a comprehensive review of relevant literature, utilization of various data sources, rigorous sampling methods, detailed data analysis techniques, and discussion of policy implications, this research aims to inform future discussions on this contentious issue.
