John Van de Kamp, former attorney general of California and a supporter of the death

penalty, urged in an op-ed several years ago that California suspend the death penalty
to save money in these fiscally difficult times. He estimated that this would save $1
billion over five years. In 2012, California voters voted down Proposition 34 by a vote of
53-47.



What will be an ideal response?


The Proposition would have ended the state's death penalty and convert all those
sentences to life imprisonment without parole. Supporters of the proposition
emphasized, as had Van de Kamp, the economic savings from abolishing capital
punishment. At the time of the vote, 726 inmates awaited execution on death row. The
legal costs to the state of remaining appeals for these inmates are estimated at $700
million. Supporters of the proposition have indicated they will try to get it passed in the
future. Opponents (especially law enforcement officials and victims' rights groups) have
said they will try to pass a proposition in 2014 that would eliminate most appeals to save
money. Considering the cost of the death penalty to taxpayers, analyze the pros and
cons of this proposition as a utilitarian. Also factor in J.S. Mill's utilitarian analysis
supporting the death penalty.

Philosophy & Belief

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According to Rom 8, who is groaning to God? Check all that apply.

a. non-human creation b. angels c. God's people d. The Holy Spirit

Philosophy & Belief

What dimension of religion includes formal and informal prayer, sacrifice, chanting of scriptures, public processions, and even travel for religious purpose?

A. aesthetic B. ritual C. ethical D. cognitive

Philosophy & Belief

As a general rule, the burden is on an organization to establish the legitimacy of infringing on what would normally be considered the personal sphere of the individual

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Philosophy & Belief

Philosophy can be enjoyable and stimulating to read, because it

A) is usually written in the form of dramatic dialogues. B) doesn't force or challenge us to rethink our inherited beliefs. C) frequently contains arguments. D) can provide the pleasure of discovering new ideas.

Philosophy & Belief