Edward Koch on Death and Justice

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the essay "Death and Justice: How Capital Punishment Affirms Life," by Edward Koch, former congressman and mayor of New York City. As a supporter of capital punishment for criminals who committed murder, his views have been the subject of much controversy, and the author shows how Koch took the arguments that arose against him and used them in his essay to confirm his own stance. The author explains how Koch uses shock tactics, fear and statistics to support his views and effectively dissect his voters' oppositions towards capital punishment. The author concludes that for Koch capital punishment affirms the fact that life is precious by bringing justice to the people who do not value the life of another.

From the Paper:

"Very respectively, Koch dissects the "Thou Shall Not Kill" argument against capital punishment. He compares quotes from both the original Hebrew of the Bible and from the Torah. By showing how the philosophers throughout history have interpreted this to mean that life can be taken in order to vindicate justice, Koch is invoking a sense of thoughtfulness in his reader. He then pulls in the fearless leaders from our country to add to that thoughtfulness a pinch of patriotism. He then rounds off that patriotism by stating that the United States Constitution does not condemn capital punishment."

More papers on Edward Koch on Death and Justice:

• Analytical Essay # 16345 : "Arguments For and Against Capital Punishment"
• Book Review # 33083 : "On Death and Dying"
• Comparison Essay # 4251 : "Egyptian and Sumerian Views on Death and Afterlife"

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