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Another look at Aquinas's Objections to Capital Punishment
Author(s) -
Marcar G.P.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
new blackfriars
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1741-2005
pISSN - 0028-4289
DOI - 10.1111/nbfr.12140
Subject(s) - legitimacy , argument (complex analysis) , philosophy , punishment (psychology) , sovereignty , epistemology , sketch , capital punishment , law and economics , law , sociology , political science , psychology , social psychology , biochemistry , chemistry , algorithm , politics , computer science
According to Thomas Aquinas, a sovereign government may legitimately execute sinners in pursuance of the common good. Aquinas outlines his defence of Capital Punishment (‘CP’) in the Summa Theologica (‘ ST’ ) 2–2, q.64, a.2 and the Summa Contra Gentiles (‘ SCG’ ), Book 3, Chapter 146. Aquinas's stance on this issue is well known and his argument in favour of CP has been extensively discussed. This article will focus instead on the objections Aquinas raises to the institution of CP in the ST and SCG , along with his responses to these objections. After providing a brief sketch of Aquinas's account of legal punishment, Aquinas's argument for the legitimacy of CP will then be outlined. The objections which Aquinas raises to CP will then be individually examined, along with his reply to each. After examining the underpinnings of Aquinas's objections and responses, the outline of a critique will be offered which draws upon the thought of Augustine and Karl Barth.