Dr. Brill paraphrased the “Best Bet Argument,” by Ernest Haag, in the following statements:

1. Since statistical evidence is inconclusive regarding whether the death penalty (DP) is a uniquely effective deterrent (UED), we in effect make a bet whether we impose it or not.

Another objection to the Best Bet Argument and premise number three, regarding the institution of the death penalty, is that imposing the death penalty is needlessly putting to death murderers. At first, this statement may appear puzzling and may invoke the response, “How can putting to death murderers be needlessly taking human life?” The objector would reason that the death penalty is not the most effective punishment. Therefore, it is wasting human life and imprisonment for life would be more fitting. By putting to death the murderers, we are wasting human life, and we all know that wasting human life is a horrible thing. However, murderers “waste” human life and sacrifice their own rights. With the rights taken away, the murderer deserves nothing less than the death penalty, even if it is thought to be a waste of human life. For support in responding to the objection, I turn to the King James Version of the Bible. In Leviticus 24, verse 17, “And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.”

3. By imposing the death penalty, we bet that the DP is UED, and hence risk needlessly putting to death some murderers.

Definite measures and consequences need to be instituted to defend our nation against its enemies. Sometimes the enemies are outside of our nation. Sometimes they are within. We must defend our country and its people. Many times it is necessary to kill our enemies to protect our nation. The threat of retaliation in killing has helped to keep this nation’s enemies “at bay.” It would be frightening to think what would happen to this nation if those terrorizing it would not need to fear for their own lives. Perhaps our enemies’ biggest threat would be the provision of food, clothing, and shelter, and healthcare in our “reformatories.”

4. It is better to risk needlessly putting to death some murderers, than to risk not saving the lives of some m

Some topics in this essay:
Bet Argument, Anecdotal Evidence, DP UED, Evidence Argument”, Death Capital, death penalty, Ernest Haag, Louis Pojman, Bible Leviticus, Bet Argument”, imposing death, imposing death penalty, putting death, death murderers, human life, fear punishment, putting death murderers, Sense Anecdotal, sense anecdotal evidence, life imprisonment, humane punishment, impose death penalty, sense anecdotal, anecdotal evidence, death penalty effective,